Episode 7 of Series 3 of Dad’s Army (shown on Gold Channel 5th Oct) gives a humourous version of a TEWT....as improvised by Captain Mainwaring Steve "Dad's Army" Big Guns (TV Episode 1969) - Plot Summary - IMDb
Wingate liked a TEWT or two during training. He also favoured oversized sand tables, when going through tactical movements he hoped to employ later in enemy territory. Here is his final training order for Operation Longcloth: Copy 77 Indian Infantry Brigade Training Programme 21/12/1942 to 07/01/1943. General. The above mentioned period will be divided in to two periods, the first devoted to recuperation after the recent exercise at the Jhansi rail station, the second to carrying out training along the lines indicated by that exercise. The first period will terminate on 26th December. During both periods a certain number of Brigade courses will take place. 1. Animal Management. This course will be conducted by the training teams now with the Brigade, under the general direction of Captain Carey-Foster. Separate instructions have now been issued. 2. Horsemastership. Officer courses in riding and 'horsemastership' have been arranged by Carey-Foster. Group and Column Commanders will arrange for attendance of as many Offciers as possible. 3. TEWTS and Lectures. T.E.W.T's (Tactical exercises without troops) and lectures should be arranged by Group Commanders for all officers in order to correct faults brought out by the recent exercise. Not less than three Brigade level T.E.W.T's are to be held before January 7th. Separate instructions will follow shortly. Column Training Period 27/12/1942 to 07/01/1943 inclusive. 1. River Crossing. Every column will carry out a crossing of the Betwa River, complete with animals, men and equipment. In order that full value may be obtained from these exercises, columns will use their own mules, muleteers and equipment. Additional mules to make up a proper strength may be borrowed from other Columns not involved with the exercise on theca date in question. The crossing will be carried out as follows: The Column will parade at 0800 hours on the date allotted on the parade ground and will moved off by route march cross country to the stretch of the Betwa, north of Bawar Sagar Railway Bridge. The crossing point over the Betwa will be selected by the Burma Rifle Recce section and the crossing to the far bank will be carried out as a Military Operation. It is estimated that the initial crossing will take approximately six hours. The Column will spend the following period of darkness on the right bank and will return on the following day across the Betwa. The second crossing will afford an opportunity to correct any faults experienced on the first attempt. A mock attack will be staged on the second crossing. Dates for the exercise are as follows: Column 1 and 2, 27th and 28th December 1942. Column 3 and 4, 29th and 30th December 1942. Column 5 and 6, 31st December 1942 and 1st January 1943. Column 7 and 8, 2nd and 3rd January 1943. Rubber boats will be pooled by the Group Commanders for the purpose of the exercise. Points to concentrate on are; the swimming of mules and horses, the dry porterage of articles such as wireless sets, explosives etc. The free swimming of fighting personnel across the river by water-wings to gain a bridgehead on the far bank is an essential element of the exercise. During the period directly before the exercise begins, all water-wings will be thoroughly tested. NB. The actual crossing of the river should not commence before 11.00 hours owing to the cold weather presently experienced. 2. Battle Practice. There are two battle practice ranges in Jhansi, both these are now at the disposal of the Brigade. Group Commanders will ensure that columns use these on a daily basis and that all troops are familiar with their battle plans. These programmes will be submitted to the relevant Head quarters by 24th December 1942. 3. The zeroing of all Small Arms. All rifles will be zeroed before leaving Jhansi. Great importance is attached to this procedure. In many cases foresights will need to be changed and in the event of any deficiencies a report will be issued to this office. 4. Completion of Mobilisation. Much remains to be done in completing stores and equipment for operational use. The recent exercises have shown that certain adaptations are necessary in respect of carrying equipment. There are two R.E. Workshop Companys at Jhansi and they have agreed to undertake any necessary works. Column Commanders will at once approach these Coys using Major J.M. Calvert R.E. as liaison to ensure that full advantage is taken of this opportunity to make alterations and improvements. Signed. Orde C. Wingate (Brigadier, Commander 77 Indian Infantry Brigade). 20th December 1942. A small, (compared to Wingate's examples), sand table:
In my research on the defences against a possible invasion of the UK in 1940-1 I have come across a couple of documents that detail TEWTs carried out by Home Guard or Field Force units. In posing a tactical problem for the attendees they contain a lot of detail, for instance on the troops and armament available. Am I safe to assume that these were based on the actual resources available at the time rather than imaginary?
