Did the 1st Durham Light Infantry Battalion ever return to the Western Desert after they were withdrawn in late January 1942?
Hi Dave - given that they're listed under 10th Indian Infantry Brigade in late 1942...yes, under the 10th Indian Division? 10th Indian Infantry Division - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hello David, The 1st Bn Durham Light Infantry left for Malta on 24 January 1942. It had two more stints in North Africa (including Palestine/Syria), between its return from Malta and expedition to Cos (end-June to mid-September 1943), and then between its return from Cos and move to Italy (end-October 1943 to 30 April 1944). It appears to have been station at Geneifa, Amriya and then Mena after Cos. Best, Steve.
Hello David, The 1st Bn Durham Light Infantry left for Malta on 24 January 1942. It had two more stints in North Africa (including Palestine/Syria), between its return from Malta and expedition to Cos (end-June to mid-September 1943), and then between its return from Cos and move to Italy (end-October 1943 to 30 April 1944). It appears to have been station at Geneifa, Amriya and then Mena after Cos. Best, Steve. Hi steve , Just to add to the above the move from Kos back to the desert was made by the survivors of Kos not the whole battalion as most were captured/killed and wounded.The original purpose of their return was to be disbanded or sent as a second line garrison battalion to the Sudan both options were discounted and the 1st DLI was effectivly reconstituted prior to offensive actions in Italy. Source Home - DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY 1920-1946 Best Kyle
The 1st DLI did not return to Egypt from Malta with 234th Infantry Brigade until June 19th, 1943 in order to train for operations in the Dodecanese Islands. The brigade trained on Great Bitter Lake and moved to Palestine on August 23rd. They also reassembled at Geneifa, Egypt after their losses at Cos. They did this during October 1943. I believe these dates do not fall into your timeline ending in December 1942.
Men of the Durham Light Infantry board a 'Z' craft at an Egyptian port to be transported to a ship bound for Sicily, 12 July 1943. Taken from this link Collections Search for "italy" | Imperial War Museums=
Men of the Durham Light Infantry board a 'Z' craft at an Egyptian port to be transported to a ship bound for Sicily, 12 July 1943. Taken from this link Collections Search for "italy" | Imperial War Museums= hi, nice photo but not 1st DLI,more likely 6thDLI or 8thDLI or 9thDLI. Best Kyle
