RIVER CROSSING

APPX 'C' · I.O. · SECRET

RIVER CROSSING

To: "A", "B", "C", "D", "HQ" and "S" Coys · I.O., Sig Offr, M.T.O., M.O.

1. From incl 21 Aug, the Bn is to carry out training for an assault river crossing operation. Training will be carried out both by day and by night.

2. The eqpt to be used during the training period is:-

(a) Class 9 FBE Br – 858209 } Details are

(b) Class 9 Close Sp Raft – 843167 } in Appx 'A'

(c) Storm Boat – 843167 }

The above eqpt is part of the operational allotment and damage cannot be replaced. Comds will therefore ensure that their tps do not misuse the eqpt.

3. The eqpt available to the Bn will vary each day and sub-units will be informed as soon as possible of their allotment.

4. The eqpt available for the use of the Bn on 21 Aug and its sub-allotment is shown in Appx 'B'.

(Signed) JFM MacDonald, Lt Col, Comd 1 KOSB

20 Aug 44

Copy to: Comd, 2IC, Adjt, QM, Chaplain

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APPX 'A'

RIVER CROSSING — EQUIPMENT & ROUTES

1. Class 9 FBE Br – 858209

'F' Ech and all 'A' Ech vehs will take all vehs up to and incl Class 9. Certain 'F' Ech vehs will be required to practise driving over this br, both by day and night.

Route to the br will be as follows:-

Main rd to FLERS to rd junc 853200 – rd junc 859264 – x rds 854208 – track 852206 thence route as marked to rly at 854207 – LR – x rds 860209 – rd junc 859204.

Route from rd junc 859204 to Br and back to rd junc 859204 will be marked "SNAKE".

Short of the br there will be an assembly area into which dvrs will be directed and from which they will be called fwd to cross the br.

2. Class 9 Close Sp Raft – 843167

'F' Ech vehs will take all vehs up to and incl Class 9. Certain 'F' Ech vehs will be required to practise driving over this raft, both by day and night.

Route to the raft will be as follows:-

Rd junc 851164 – track junc 844164 – raft at 843165 – track & rd junc 839167 – track & rd junc 842171 – rd junc 851174.

This route will be marked "GOOSE".

Short of the raft there will be an assembly area into which dvrs will be directed and from which they will be called fwd to cross the raft.

3. Storm Boats – 843167

There are six (6) boats.

Four (4) will be used by Rifle Coys

Two (2) " " " Atk Pl

Rifle Coys will practise their men in carrying, embarking and disembarking.

Atk Pl will practise loading and unloading of 6 pr guns and Jeeps.

Route – same as for Class 9 Close Sp Raft as far as Lake 843165 – after practise Rifle Coys will return by following route: track junc 844164 – track junc 847158 – track junc 849162 – main rd 852162.

Short of the training site, there will be an assembly area, into which rifle coys and Atk Pl will be directed and from which they will be called fwd as required.

A Storm Boat requires 20 men to lift it, 14 armed men can be carried in it. In an actual operation, it is probable that carrying parties will be provided from resources outside the Bn.

All men in possession of soft shoes will wear them for Storm Boat training.

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APPX 'B'

TRAINING PROGRAMME — 21 AUGUST 1944

1. Storm Boats (1)

A Coy – 1600–1700 – To be in assembly area 10 mins before start of period

B Coy – 1700–1800 – -do-

C Coy – 1800–1900 – -do-

D Coy – 1900–2000 – -do-

Note.

(a) Each Coy will have one sec of RE att to it for this trg. It will join the Coy in the assembly area.

(b) 'A' Coy will have one sec Fd Amb (18) att to it for this trg. It will join the Coy in the assembly area.

2. Storm Boats (2)

Atk Pl 1600–2000

Four coy jeeps, Sp Coy jeep and one Pnr Pl jeep will report to Atk Pl at 1500 hrs, 21 Aug. These jeeps will be empty and will be required to tow six atk guns.

Atk Pl consisting of six jeeps and six atk guns will carry out trg during above period under Capt Dishington. Pl will be in assembly area at 1550 hrs.

3. Class 9 Raft 1600–1900 hrs

The following 'F' Ech vehs will RV in the Sp Coy area at 1500 hrs 21 Aug under Major Barker.

Refs are to Appx 'A' of AQ/11, undated. (Subject: Bn Tpt – division into echs).

Serials 1–6, Serials 8–9, Serials 11–13, Serials 14 and 16.

MT Sgt will assist Major Barker.

Vehs will be grouped into parties of 10, the first party will arrive at the assembly area at 1550 and subsequent parties at 1630, 1715 and 1800 hrs.

4. Class 9 FBE Br – 858209 1600–2000 hrs

The following 'F' Ech and 'A' Ech vehs will RV in 'A' Ech area by 1500 hrs, 21 Aug, under Lt Hamilton:-

'F' Ech Serial 10

'A' Ech All Serials as shown in para 2 of Appx 'A' to AQ/11, undated (Subject: Bn Tpt – division into echs).

Vehs will proceed by main rd to FLERS to arrive rd junc 859204 at 1530 hrs and proceed thence by route "SNAKE" to cross FBE Br.

Note: Vehs of MMG Pl 'A' Coy 2 Mx and J Tp Atk Bty will follow Bn 'A' Ech coln and carry out similar trg.

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A note on the terms

FBE – Folding Boat Equipment, a pontoon bridge. Class 9 – able to carry vehicles up to 9 tons: most wheeled transport but not tanks. Close Sp Raft – a ferry raft for getting vehicles over before a bridge is built. Storm Boat – a powered assault boat for the first wave of infantry. 'F' Ech / 'A' Ech – the fighting and first-line transport echelons. Atk Pl – Anti-tank Platoon (6-pounder guns). 2 Mx – 2nd Bn Middlesex Regiment, the division's machine-gun battalion.