War Diary: 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS, September 1939 - July 1944

From Appendices War Diary, January 1941:

COPY LETTER RECEIVED BY 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS

To:- Major A.F.L. GORDON, D.S.O., M.C., Regimental Adjutant, IRISH GUARDS
From: - 47, Leighton Road, CHELTENHAM, 2nd January 1941.


Dear Sir,
I wish to bring the following little incident to your notice as it is a grand tribute to our glorious Regiment.

It was related by a naval rating to a crowd of Service people of all ranks and some civilians in the lounge of the leading hotel here on New Year’s nigh.

I happened to be in hearing distance and not actually with the particular party, but on mention of the “IRISH GUARDS” I very naturally cocked my ears.

The naval rating held his audience spellbound relating several incidents he had seen performed by the 1st Battalion at NARVIK. He added the “discipline and general bearing of the Officers and men when transferred from a bombed ship to the narrator’s vessel, their handing over the side in full kit, the way they obeyed orders, was like as if they were on parade, in LONDON. Special praise being given to the Serjeant Major (evidently meaning R.S.M. STACK). He ended by saying that never had anything like it been seen before”. This naval rating was himself an Englishman and a native of this town.

Naturally I went up to the naval man when he had concluded and informed him that I was an old IRISH GUARDSMAN, and I felt very proud of what he had just said to his party. He thereupon said “come and join us you are one of the party”, and had I wished to get intoxicated, I could have done so at the party’s expense.

I remain Yours, very sincerely
M. POTTER, 2715526

 

At 00.15 hours on May 15, 1940, H.M.T. ‘CHOBRY’ was bombed, set on fire and subsequently abandoned. The bomb, or bombs, dropped in the cabins occupied by the senior officers of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, six officers including the Commanding Officer and 4 other Ranks being killed.

Father Cavanagh did magnificent work amongst the wounded throughout, giving valuable advice and encouragement. During the evacuation he conducted a Service which contributed towards the maintenance of calm and order. Although suffering from shock he never faltered from the task he set himself, and every man speaks of him with gratitude and admiration.

The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details

Name Cavanagh, Father G V
Rank: Chaptain
Regiment: Royal Army Chaplain's Department attached 1 Battalion Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Norway
Award: Mention in Despatches
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 20 December 1940
Date 1940
Catalogue reference WO 373/88

 

P/63088 Lieutenant, Temporary Captain David Michael Lindsay GORDON-WATSON, M.C. and two bars.
At 0015 hours on the 15th May 1940, H.M.T. "CHROBRY" was bombed, set on fire and subsequently abandoned. The bomb, or bombs, dropped in the cabins occupied by the senior officers of the 1st Battalion IRISH GAURDS, [six officers including the Commanding Officer and 4 Other Ranks being killed].

Captain GORDON-WATSON was the senior unwounded surviving officer of the Battalion and the safe transfer of survivors and wounded to destroyers was due to a considerable extent to the cool manner in which he organised the lowering and filling of boats, [most of the Polish crew having abandoned ship].

Captain GORDON-WATSON, with extreme disregard for his own safety, assisted in the extrication of Major GILBART-DENHAM who was badly wounded in a wrecked and blazing cabin.

The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
Name Gordon-Watson, David Michael
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment: Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Norway
Award: Bar to Military Cross
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 27 September 1940
Date 1940
Catalogue reference WO 373/15

 

2715069 Warrant Officer Class I (R.S.M.) J. Stack, M.C., 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS
[At 0015 hours] on 15th May, H.M.T. "CHROBRY" was bombed, set on fire ad subsequently abandoned. The bomb, or bombs, dropped in the cabins occupied by the senior officers of the 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS [six Officers including the Commanding Officer and 4 Other Ranks being killed].

R.S.M. STACK displayed outstanding coolness and courage. He supervised the filling of lifeboats, encouraging the men in a most praise-worthy manner. He was continually planning the evacuation and when he saw that all could not get into the boats he found a way through the smoke amidships, testing the deck for safety, in order to get men aft to a destroyer. He inspired great confidence in the men throughout.

The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
Name Stack, J
Rank: Warrant Officer Class 1
Regiment: Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Norway
Award: Military Cross
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 27 September 1940
Date 1940
Catalogue reference WO 373/15

 

2718517 Sergeant W. Johnston, D.C.M., 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS
At 0015 hours on 15th May, H.M.T. "CHROBRY" was bombed, set on fire ad subsequently abandoned. The bomb, or bombs, dropped in the cabins occupied by the senior officers of the 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS, six Officers including the Commanding Officer and 4 Other Ranks being killed.

Sergeant JOHNSTON was Battalion Medical Sergeant. Throughout he displayed the greatest courage, calmness and devotion to duty. His advice and his efficiency were an inspiration to all

The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
Name Johnston, W
Rank: Serjeant
Service No: 2718017
Regiment: 1 Battalion Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Norway
Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 27 September 1940
Date 1940
Catalogue reference WO 373/15

 

2716776 Guardsman T. CALLAGHAN, D.C.M., 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS.


The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
Name Callaghan, T
Rank: Guardsman
Service No: 2716776
Regiment: Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Norway
Award: Military Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 27 September 1940
Date 1940
Catalogue reference WO 373/15

 

1940 May 16
Harstad
Battalion refit, although detailed for multifarious duties by FORCE.

1940 May 17
Harstad
H.M.S. “EFFINGHAM” *sunk. S.W.B.s on board. [* ran aground]
2nd attempt to relieve 1st Battalion SCOTS GUARDS fails.
2/Lieutenant VESEY to hospital.
All wounded doing well except for Guardsmen CORBETT and SLINEY who died, and Major GILBART-DENHAM who is still very ill following a serious operation.
SLINEY 15/5 CWGC :: Casualty Details
CORBETT 16/5 CWGC :: Casualty Details

1940 May 18
Harstad
Work of refitting continues.
Sergeant WARD and 7 men proceed to BODO to act as A/A escort for ration puffers.

1940 May 19
Harstad Church Services.
0845 hours
G.O.C. visits and takes to Officers.
Sergeant SMITH and party of six men from No. 4 Company leave HARSTAD on H.M.S. “RAVEN” (trawler under command of Commander Sir Geoffrey CONGREVE) to do Q Boat work (Appendix H).

1940 May 20
Harstad
Battalion ordered to BODO. H.Q. and NO. 4 Company leave by puffer, remainder by Destroyers. Base Details are not in HARSTAD doing garrison duties. Captain D.H. FITZGERALD in command.

1940 May 21
At Sea
Arrived BODO. No staff work. No orders.
One puffer nearly sinks.
Bodo
Leave for HOPEN.
Captain H.C. McGILDOWNY (now out of hospital) assumes command of the Battalion.
Captain D.M.L. GORDON-WATSON, M.C., Adjutant.

1940 May 22
Godones
Arrive early in billeting area GODONES.
No. 4 Company on STROMNEN Peninsula.
The BRIGADE comes under the Command of Colonel GUBBINS.
Constant air activity.

1940 May 23
Godones
After many conferences the Battalion leaves for ROGNAN to relieve SCOTS GUARDS. Move by puffer, steamer, mail-boat and ferry.
Scare that BODO Peninsula is captured by Germans.

1940 May 24
Rognan, Pothus

TIME TABLE OF EVENTS
0700 hours Arrival at ROGNAN.
0730 hours Recce by Commanding Officer (Captain H.C. McGILDOWNY) with Colonel GUBBINS (BRIGADE Commander)
1030 hours No. 1 Company, No. 4 Company and H.Q. arrive at POTHUS.
1545 hours Arrival of No. 3 Company, who were machine-gunned while debussing.
2359 hours 1st Battalion SCOTS GUARDS pass through the Battalion position.

The general position in the SALTDALEN valley, when the Battalion arrived to cover the withdrawal of the SCOTS GUARDS and their embarkation at ROGNANT, was as follows:-

Ten days before, the SCOTS GUARDS took up a defensive position at MO and were to be joined as son as possible by the 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS and the 2nd Battalion SOUTH WALES BORDERERS. Both Battalions were held up, once by the disaster to the IRISH GUARDS on the “CHROBRY” and once by the grounding of the “EFFINGHAM” with the S.W.B.’s on board. The only other reinforcements available were the Independent companies.

The Independent companies were raised purely to harass enemy lines of communication, and were never meant to act as defensive troops. There were ordered to do so, and through no fault of their own, proved quite inadequate to the task. When supporting our flanks throughout the forthcoming operations, it was difficult to contact them, and more than often impossible to know if they were even there. They lived up to their names as Independent companies, and retired and advanced at will. Colonel GUBBINS (although not a Guardsman), controlled STOCKFORCE, as it was now called, from ROGNAN, and his Comamnder in the Field was Lieutenant-Colonel STOCKWELL, ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS.

The SCOTS GUARDS had been withdrawing, helped only on the flanks by isolated platoons of the Independent companies, with no support, no lines of communication, and in the face of completely unopposed air superiority. To make matters more difficult, Colonel TRAPPES-LOMAX was relieved of his command in the middle of this difficult operation of withdrawal.
The IRISH GUARDS were ordered to take up and hold a defensive position along the line of POTHUS bridge. The main feature of the SALTDALEN valley was a road running through wooded country from the river at POTHUS bridge to the town of ROGNAN. The high ground South West of the bridge was deemed vital to the defence.

No. 1 Company was to hold the high ground on the far side of the river. No. 4 Company was to cover the wooded area on the right flank, overlooking the bridge. No. 3 Company was to over the left flank on the East of the road. No. 2 Company was held in reserve. Units of the Independent companies were on both flanks, on the high ground, which dominated the valley. The defence was to be thickened up by a battery of 25 ponders, a section of Norwegian M.G.s under Captain ELLINGAR, and 2 Norwegian mortars.

Communication, which was of vital importance to the holding of the position, broke down completely. The river proved unfordable, and the W/T set, sent to No. 1 Company, was sent to a different place to the operators who, when they did arrive, had not the remotest idea how to use the set.

Completely overshadowing these factors was the unopposed enemy air superiority.

On Friday, at 1545 hours, the Germans machine gunned from the air. That evening the last rations were sent out to No. 1 Company by truck. Apart from the air gunning the front was quiet, until after the 1st Battalion SCOTS GUARDS had passed through.

1940 May 25
Pothus
0100 hours
POTHUS bridge was blown up contrary to all orders, and due to a misunderstanding between a junior ROYAL ENGINEERS N.C.O., and a SCOTS GUARDS Officer.

0800 hours
Ferry service across river to No. 1 Company tested; a few hours later, deemed impractical. No. 1 Company now cut off, because:-
1. The W/T set did not work.
2. The bridge was blown too soon.
3. The ferry was impossible, and the signal cable (which it was planned to take over the bridge before it was blown up) could not reach No. 1 Company.

1245 hours
Battalion H.Q. machine gunned for 1 1/2 hours by low flying aircraft.
STOCKFORCE H.Q. burnt to the ground. (Position given away by yelllow signal wire).
No. 4 Company subjected to heavy M.G. and mortar fire all day. Without their telephone to Battalion H.Q., they would never have been able to hold on.

1400 hours
Battalion H.Q. moved 300 yards further West.

1900 hours
No. 1 Company withdrew from their position along East bank of river.

2030 hours
Two platoons under Lieutenant E.C. FITZCLARENCE report to STOCKFORCE 2030 hours.
Captain B.O.P. EUGSTER, M.C. wounded.

2045 hours
No. 2 Company, under Lieutenant G.S. BRODRICK move to take up position on high ground on left flank.
Our Artillery and Mortars had been in action from 122 Noon, and had done much damage to the enemy when the arrived near No. 1 Company’s former position.

1940 May 26
Pothus
0430 hours
No. 2 Company arrive in a new position.
Renewed enemy activity on No.s 3 and 4 Companys’ flanks.
1200 hours
Force Commander has Conference with GUBBINS at ROGNAN. Receiving orders to evacuate position.
1545 hours
Commanding Officer called to Conference.
Air raid holds up issue of orders.
1745 hours
Orders issued.
1900 hours
Battalion starts to withdraw, vide STOCKFORCE order (Appendix C)
2015 hours
H.Q. withdraw.
2130 hours
Half Battalion H.Q. ambushed on withdrawal. For account of this and earlier incidents see Appendix D.
Two platoons No. 4 Company and No. 3 Company take up defensive positions to cover withdrawal of remainder of H.Q., as No. 3 Independent Company failed to arrive at their position.
2015 hours
No. 2 Company received their order to withdraw, five hours after dispatch of order. Message had been given personally by Force Commander to Norwegian Interpreter, Captain HARTMAN, to deliver, as he knew the way. Message pocketed by Sergeant of Independent Company, hence the delay.
The extrication of that part of H.Q. Company, which was ambushed, was entirely due to the magnificent show put up by Captain ELLINGER with his M.G.s, ably assisted by No. 3 Company (Captain WHITEFOORD, M.C.), and two platoons No. 4 Company under 2/Lieutenant COLE.
2359 hours Battalion, less those unaccounted for, left ROGNAN by puffer for FINNEID.

1940 May 27
Fauske
Battalion arrives early at FINNEID.
No. 2 Company stragglers join Battalion.
Recce by Commanding Officer (Captain H.C. McGILDOWNY) with Colonel STOCKWELL.
Order to withdraw to line near AASENG (Appendix E)
Battalion starts to move at midnigh.
Major GILBART-DENHAM dies from wounds and shock due to repeated air raids in vicinity of TRAONDONES Hospital.
CWGC :: Casualty Details

1940 May 28
Aaseng
Battalion billeted around AASENG.
Father CAVANAGH and Quartermaster visit Battalion with main and news of awards of decorations for “CHROBRY” See Appendix F)
Enemy air activity makes it necessary to move H.Q. from billets across march to area of Force H.Q.
Dispositions - No.s 2 and 4 Companies on Right. No.s 1 and 3 Companies on Left.
Independent Company on Right flank withdraw too soon.
Norwegian Patrol mistaken for enemy.
Firing on Right flank in direction of FAUSKE from across the Fjord. M.G. fire.
Issue of Tommy Guns.
No signal kit.


1940 May 29
Myjones
1115 hours
Battalion withdraws towards BODO. 20-25 miles march. Enemy air activity.
Withdrawal covered by No. 1 Company. March halts 2 miles West of MYJONES.

 

From WO 361/20

25 May 1940

BY SPECIAL MESSENGER
Memorandum for:-
Officer-in-Charge Records, Irish Guards Record Office, Birdcage Walk, S.W.1.

The following is in confirmation of the telegram telephoned to you on 23rd May:-
T.6591 From N.W.E.F.

First IRISH GUARDS:
Killed
2695629 Guardsman W. RIGBY
2716210 Guardsman E. SLINEY
2717086 Guardsman James CORBETT

Missing, believed Killed
2717070 Guardsman H. SMITH
2717810 Guardsman E. DRAPER
2718911 Guardsman D. McLOUGHLIN

Wounded
2718235 Guardsman W. O'CONNELL - bomb, scalp slight
2716850 Guardsman W. ARMER - bomb and burns slight
2718260 Guardsman Thomas MARTIN - bomb slight
2718715 Guardsman Michael Edward HATCHELL - bomb slight
2719461 Guardsman William DURNIGAN - now ascertained only twist Lumbar Muscles
2717345 Guardsman Ronald G. MAGGS - bomb and bullet slight
2717356 Guardsman Patrick FINNEGAN - fractured Tibia severe
2716611 Guardsman (?Michael) [sic] GRATTON - bomb slight
7012808 Guardsman Daniel BROADWAY - bomb slight
2716569 Guardsman Robert KERR - bomb slight

signed J.M.E. Dawkins



[hr]


From The History of Irish Guards in the Second World War, FitzGerald:
DECORATIONS AND AWARDS - NORWAY


Bar to Military Cross
63088 Major D.M.L. Gordon-Watson, M.C. 1940 373/15
65413 Captain B.O.P. Eugster, M.C. 1940 373/15


Military Cross
2715069 R.S.M. Stack, J. 1940 WO 373/15


Distinguished Conduct Medal
2718517 Sergeant Johnston, W. 1940 WO 373/15
2719527 Guardsman Wylie, J. 1940 WO 373/15
2717837 Guardsman O’Shea, M. 1940 WO 373/15
2716776 Guardsman Callaghan, T. 1940 WO 373/15


Military Medal
2718134 Drummer Hughes, A. 1940 WO 373/15


Twelve Mentioned in Despatches
of which
D/Major G. Stone - see http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/postwar/22983-postwar-guards.html

 

For Notes by Colonel Dowler & Brigadier Gubbins, Norway, April - May 1940, WO 198/8, see:-
http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/58174-notes-by-colonel-dowler-brigadier-gubbins-norway-april-may-1940/#entry675439

[hr]

Major (Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Colin McVean GUBBINS, D.S.O., M.C. ROYAL ARTILLERY, Bodo Force.

Please note that some information has been struck out but is still legible in the original image.

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23894 Major Hugh Charles STOCKWELL, ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS, D.S.O.
When placed in command of a mixed force of all arms at a difficult moment in the ROGNAN Valley operation, he showed great skill and energy in organising a defensive position within a short period, making the fullest use of the ground, and by his energy and determination inspiring all ranks to stand and fight.

He held the position successfully for 48 hours until ordered to withdraw. During the withdrawal towards a small and congested harbour close behind where troops were embarking he showed great courage and determination when part of his rearguard went astray. He immediately came back, collected two platoons, and went forward again with them, and put them into action to stem the German advance.

This officer's military capacity and soldierly qualities were displayed at a time when the situation was most difficult.


The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
Name Stockwell, Hugh Charles
Rank: Major
Regiment: Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Norway
Award: Distinguished Service Order
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 06 August 1940
Date 1940
Catalogue reference WO 373/15

 

Michael Henry BAILY, 12 Field Force Regiment, INDIAN ARMY
This officer, throughout the action at POTHUS, showed coolness and disregard for personal safety. He was first with the IRISH GUARDS, and was with them while they engaged the enemy at close quarters for several hours, and assisted in guiding back the Company during its withdrawal.

On the next day, he climbed the mountain, collected an Independent Company and guided their withdrawal, they being engaged in a heavy rear-guard action. While the Company withdrew, he remained with the wounded men and assisted them all the way back to ROGNAN, at times under fire and never giving any regard to his own safety.

His behaviour was an example of the highest order. But for his extreme disregard for his own personal safety and his assistance, three severely wounded men could not have reached the point of embarkation at ROGNAN.

The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
Name Baily, Michael Henry H
Rank: Captain, Major
Regiment: 12 Field Force Regiment; Indian Army
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Norway
Award: Distinguished Service Order
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 06 August 1940
Date 1940
Catalogue reference WO 373/15

 

65413 Lieutenant, Temporary Captain Basil Oscar Paul EUGSTER, 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS, M.C. and Bar
Although himself wounded, he commanded his company with great coolness when forced to withdraw. In this action a river had to be crossed, the bridge having been previously blown. Captain EUGSTER organized the forming of a chain made by knotting all the rifle slings together, and after this chain had been taken across by a strong swimmer*, he himself went first to test its strength, being under heavy machine gun fire the whole way over. By his courage and coolness against great odds during the whole action, he was a striking example to his N.C.O.s and men as to what a British Soldier should be.

The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
Name Eugster, Basil Oscar Paul
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment: 1 Battalion Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Norway
Award: Bar to the Military Cross
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 06 August 1940
Date 1940
Catalogue reference WO 373/15


See also:

• * 2719007 Lance-Corporal John MURPHY, MiD*, 1 Irish Guards: POW

 

2719527 Guardsman J. WYLIE, D.C.M., 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS

N.B. This image shows how much the text has been edited.
The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
Name Wylie, J
Rank: Guardsman
Service No: 2719527
Regiment: 1 Battalion Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Norway
Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 06 August 1940
Date 1940
Catalogue reference WO 373/15

 

2717837 Guardsman Michael Patrick O’SHEA, DCM, 1 & 3 rish Guards


The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
Name O'Shea, P
Rank: Guardsman
Service No: 2717837
Regiment: Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Norway
Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 06 August 1940
Date 1940
Catalogue reference WO 373/15

 

2718134 Drummer A. HUGHES, M.M., 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS.


The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
Name Hughes, A
Rank: Drummer
Service No: 2718134
Regiment: Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Norway
Award: Military Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 06 August 1940
Date 1940
Catalogue reference WO 373/15

 

APPENDIX ‘D’
OBSERVATION REPORT

Observers:-
1 Norwegian Officer
Drummer A. HUGHES

One the 25th May the Norwegian Officer and I saw movements on the other side of the river about 800 yards South of the bridge. The time was about 1500 hours. We made an Observation Post just opposite the bridge, in a ditch. At this time shots were exchanged between the enemy and some of our troops. Whilst the enemy were thus engaged I returned to our established Observation Post and got two ground sheets. When I had returned the Officer and I tied our two rifles in the ground sheets, also our ammunition. We then proceeded to cross the river by the girders underneath the bridge. We got across without mishap except for myself; I had just managed half the bridge when I nearly slipped in and lost our rifles. We lay low for an hour and then proceeded to make our way up the opposite hill. This was easy owing to plenty of cover. We eventually found an Observation post suitable for our observation. We observed a group of the enemy lying around the machine gun which we had suspected. We immediately returned across the river and sent a Norwegian soldier, who spoke English, to report what we had seen, and gave the position on a Panarma [????????panorama] which I sketched very briefly.

Very soon afterwards the Artillery had, by all accounts, blown the machine gun post beyond hope of it going into action again. We then spent most of the day sniping the billets where the enemy were, which proved successful for me. Through the whole of the sniping period I used a Norwegian rifle which I had found far more accurate than mine [sic] own and easier to sight. We reconnoitred about 5 miles of country ahead and made contact with an Independent Company which was about a quarter of a mile to our left. The same night we observed the enemy constructing a Pontoon bridge. We immediately found a suitable Observation Post and sniped but with little success, as they seemed to sense where we were after our first few shots. As we had a long way to return to our Observation Post we took it in turns to sleep and to sentry and watch the Pontoon Bridge. Then after a few hours like that I decided to find another Observation Post where we could snipe in comparative safety. We had about 8 shots each taking 5 to 10 minutes between each shot. They eventually found us out and gave us a hot burst of machine gun fire, which was badly aimed as we got away unscathed. We had finished that expedition and decided that we would return to our Observation Post and await developments. Our idea was to see which of the troops would advance when they finished the bridge. We arrived back at our established Observation Post about 4.00 p.m., Sunday, 26th May. Two hours later we saw more enemy movement around two boats, so we started out again to see what we could do and took action as stated in second report.

Signed Drummer A. HUGHES.

 

APPENDIX 'D'
OBSERVATION REPORT

Observers:-
1 Norwegian Officer
Drummer A. HUGHES

0600 hours
A Norwegian Officer saw 2 boats tied on the oppostite side of the river about two miles up the river from the bridge. We kept the boats under observation for a considerable time and then took up another Observation Post about 600 yards from the boats.

Movements were observed about 4 hours later. We saw the enemy loading the boats with a machine gun and long boxes which we surmised was ammunition. We took up a better Observation Post nearer the boats and spent the time observing and improving out Observation Post with shrubs, etc. When the next movements were seen near the boats we sniped the enemy and accounted for three, but they immediately recognised our Observation Post and machine gunned us but with no danger to us. We successfully crawled away and took up another Observation Post nearer the river but about 800 yards further down. I then asked the Officer to go back to L/Cpl. BENSON and give the report in to him so that it could be immediately dispatched to Battalion H.Q. I stayed and sniped until eventually, I was forced to retire owing to the boats landing on my side of the river. I then made tracks for my Observation Post on the hill but I was intercepted by a band of men in Norwegian Uniform. I recognised them as enemy by the weapons they were carrying. I saw three Tommy guns and the remainder carried rifles. They passed me coming from the river and advancing in the direction of the hill immediately right of my Established Observation Post.

This hill ran parallel with our own Battalion H.Q. so I immediately made tracks for Battalion H.Q. I met Guardsman J. IRWIN and Lance-Corporal PARKE who told me that we had to return to Battalion H.Q. I immediately returned thinking that Corporal BENSON had been to Battalion H.Q., given in my message and had returned to our Observation Post. When I arrived back he was not there, so I packed my kit and waited to see if he would return. In the meantime I did some more sniping from my Observation Post as I had observed enemy movement running parallel from where I was. They were making their way towards the same hill that i had seen the first party making for. I sniped them with comfort and, I think, puzzled them as they lay low for about 3/4 of an hour and then proceeded to advance again.

I made another Observation Post, then moved to the right and a little forward as the enemy were in full view of me and I knew that they would have to cross a mountain stream which offered me good sniping facilities. I was using at this time a Norwegian rifle which was a lot more accurate than my own, as mine had not been zeroed. I accounted for two men and possibly a third. They were very clumsy in advancing and seemed to disregard the bit of cover which was provided on the edge of the stream.

I then returned to my Observation post and as Corporal BENSON had not returned I made my way back to Battalion H.Q. The time was then about 2000 hours. I managed to reach Battalion H.Q. about 2100 hours and found it deserted, so I lay low in the Orderly Room trench and had something to eat. I had just finished my meal when I heard noises and movements on the side of the hill opposite the Orderly Room trench. The noise was caused by the enemy advancing along the ridge. So by keeping in the wood I advanced parallel with them for about 300 yards, then lay low again. They passed me about 900 yards to my left and as they did not make their way towards the wood where we had been camped, I knew I was comparatively safe. I scouted the woods looking for a bike to convey me down the road, but I found none. I found two boxes containing signallers’ kit, which I destroyed by tearing the plugs and wires out and smashing the plug-boards with my rifle. I also found two boxes of mortar ammunition which I buried with a spade nearby.

I then made my way down the road towards the town, where I met a section of No. 3 Company. Knowing the hills on the right of the road, I led them over the hill on to the river edge. There we lay low until I scouted the ground thoroughly ahead. I then asked the men to get rid of their packs and all web which would impede their movements, in case they had to swim. We then started to crawl on our stomachs, each man 15 yards apart. We successfully made our way until we were forced to run for it across an open stretch about 200 yards along the river bank. I went first, with the N.C.O., about 10 yards behind. As he could not swim it was the only possible way of advancing. I ran about 30 yards when a machine gun opened out on me. I fell flat and gave the signal for all the section to jump in the river. We then made our way by letting the current sweep us along and holding to boulders on the side. We all go round safely and we then doubled through thick undergrowth, where we were halted by a swift currented river.

We waited and met up with P.S.M. HIGGINS and a party of about 40 men. As the majority could not swim we were confronted with a rather big problem. P.S.M. HIGGINS’s idea, which he proceeded to fulfil, proved very successful. This was to tied all our rifle slings together. We did that and then it was tied around my waist and I swam across. It was then tied on to a branch of a tree which overhung the river; then, by flinging the other end to the men, it was made fast and all came over by clinging to the line. We then were picked up by a bus and brought to the town.

 

1. 10398 Major Cecil Leander John BOWEN, 1 Irish Guards: 15/05/1940 - Killed on Chrobry
2. 2717981 TJ CAHILL 1ST BN 05/09/1940 IRISH GUARDS Died in Sweden. Report of escape & evasion
3. 2717086 J CORBETT 1ST BN 16/05/1940 IRISH GUARDS - Died of Wounds received on Chrobry
4. 2718507 Guardsman Michael Arthur DONNELLY, 1 Irish Guards: 25/05/1940
5. 2717810 EW DRAPER 1ST BN 15/05/1940 IRISH GUARDS
6. 27656 JR DURHAM-MATTHEWS 1ST BN 15/05/1940 IRISH GUARDS - Killed on Chrobry
7. 2718736 JA ELLIOT 1ST BN 14/05/1940 IRISH GUARDS
8. 15271 WD FAULKNER 1ST BN 14/05/1940 IRISH GUARDS - Killed on Chrobry, Commanding Officer
9. 33666 VV GILBART-DENHAM 1ST BN 27/05/1940 IRISH GUARDS - Died of Wounds received on Chrobry
10. 18189 TA HACKET-PAIN 1ST BN 14/05/1940 IRISH GUARDS - Killed on Chrobry
11. 2717964 Guardsman Norman JORDAN, 1 Irish Guards: 29/05/1940 Norway
12. 67054 FRA LEWIN 1ST BN 15/05/1940 IRISH GUARDS - Killed on Chrobry
13. 2718831 A MCCLELLAND 1ST BN 20/05/1940 IRISH GUARDS
14. 2718911 DK MCLOUGHLIN 1ST BN 15/05/1940 IRISH GUARDS
15. 49895 BA O'NEILL 1ST BN 14/05/1940 IRISH GUARDS - Killed on Chrobry
16. 2718899 WH RANKIN 1ST BN 28/05/1940 IRISH GUARDS
17. 2695829 W RIGBY 1ST BN 15/05/1940 IRISH GUARDS
18. 2717906 J SHEEHY 1ST BN 20/05/1940 IRISH GUARDS
19. 2716210 E SLINEY 1ST BN 15/05/1940 IRISH GUARDS - Died of Wounds received on Chrobry
20. 2717070 Guardsman Hugh SMITH, 1 Irish Guards: 10/05/1940
21. 2717983 SC TAYLOR 1ST BN 26/05/1940 IRISH GUARDS
22. 2717801 J TIERNEY 1ST BN 25/05/1940 IRISH GUARDS

QS

 

From History ofIG WW2 by FitzGerald:

It was on 15th April that the 1st Battalion landed at HARSTAD. In 1914 the Battalion had gone abroad with the first flight of the B.E.F. and had fought through the retreat from MONS. In 1940 the Battalion landed for action five days after the real war began. At home the British public waited for news of this tiny force - but nobody guessed how few they were - who had disappeared into the darkness of the northern spring.

The British Army, we are told, should be a projectile fired by the Navy to strike the enemy at his weakest point. The Navy had carried the 24th GUARDS BRIGADE safely across the North Sea and launched it against the Germans in Northern NORWAY. Other projectiles had been fired at central NORWAY, at NAMSOS and ANDALSNES. If these cleared the NARVIK area, their combined force would move down and chase the Germans out of NORWAY.

These hopes and plans ended in failure and depression. The campaign was a tragedy, made more grievous by endurance of the few troops who did the fighting with inadequate material. From the beginning of May a sense of ineluctable fate hung over NORWAY. There remained only an unshakable confidence in the magnificent spirit and companionship of the Battalion and in the skill and gallantry of the Royal Navy. The discipline, tradition and steadfast courage of the Battalion saved it from annihilation on the Chobry and disintegration at BODO, and brought it proudly through the collapse with dearly bought experience and credit. But all the battles in AFRICA, ITALY, FRANCE, HOLLAND and GERMANY, longer and bloodier though they were, could not efface the memory of the Norwegian campaign as the worst of all experiences.

What happened in NORWAY? Briefly, it was this. The Battalion sat round the shores of the OFOTEN FJORD, slowly edging closer in to NARVIK, waiting for Force H.Q. to make up their minds. The question was, would it be possible to lay on a naval bombardment effective enough to cover an assault landing? This question was never decided. After three weeks the Allied troops in central NORWAY were evacuated to save them from complete destruction.

There is only one way through NORWAY to the NORTH. Now it lay wide open. The Staff ordered the 24TH GUARDS BRIGADE to move nearly two hundred miles SOUTH, to Mö, the narrowest part of NORWAY. They thought, apparently, that there was no reason why the Brigade should not hold up the entire German Army a Mö for ever, but out of the whole Brigade only the 1ST BN. SCOTS GUARDS ever arrived at Mö. The Chobry, carrying the Battalion, was bombed and sunk, and H.M.S. Effingham, carrying the 2ND BN. SOUTH WALES BORDERERS, struck an uncharted rock. The SCOTS GUARDS could not hold on and began a hundred mile retreat on foot. The Battalion refitted as best they could and went SOUTH again, this time to BODO to hold the road a hundred miles behind the SCOTS. After the SCOTS had passed through, the Battalion held on for a week and was then evacuated to HARSTAD. Meanwhile the French and Poles had captured NARVIK, fighting with great gallantry and suffering heavy casualties, but every ship and man was now needed at home.

On 4th June the Battalion went back to ENGLAND.

 

1940 June 1
Ervik
Mail arrives.
Re-equipped with what little there is left in HARSTAD.

1940 June 2
Ervik
Captain H.L.S. YOUNG appointed Adjutant.
Captain D.M.L. GORDON-WATSON, M.C. to No. 2 Company.
G.O.C. visits Battalion to distribute decorations (See Appendix ‘G’).

1940 June 3
At Sea
2130 hours Leave ERVIK for BORKONES.
2359 hours Embark on H.M.S. Destroyer “ECHO”.
No aircraft sighted.

1940 June 4
At Sea
Transferred to H.M.L. “LANCASTRIA”.
Lieutenant-Colonel STOCKWELL O.C. Troops.
Two Independent Companies on board.

1940 June 5
At Sea
Await convoy in open sea.

1940 June 6
At Sea
Convoy joined by two other transports.

1940 June 7
At Sea
H.M.S. “VINDICTIVE” joins convoy.

1940 June 8
At Sea
2 Destroyers and H.M.S. “VALIANT” join convoy.
1030 hours Two Heinkels spot convoy, drop incendiary bombs and depart.

1940 June 9
At Sea
Thick mist nullifies enemy air activity. This was a great piece of good fortune as we were at the time under 300 miles from TRONHEIM, we must have been heavily bombed. Had we known that H.M.S. “GLORIOUS” had been sunk by the “SCHARNHORST” not so very far behind us, we should have been even more relieved.

1940 June 10
0500 hours
Arrive GRENOCK.
ITALY enters the War.
Lieutenant-Colonel E.R. MAHONY takes over command.
Captain A.S. LOCKWOOD joins the Battalion.

1940 June 11 Land at GRENOCK.
Move by train to billets in COATBRIDGE.

1940 June 12
Coatbridge
Rest at COATBRIDGE.
Sergeant SMITH and party rejoin from H.M.S. “RAVEN” (Appendix ‘H’)

1940 June 13 - 14
-

1940 June 15
Arrival NORTHWOOD.

1940 June 16
-

1940 June 17
Northwood
Re-organization at NORTHWOOD.
FRENCH ARMY PACK IN.

1940 June 18
Northwood
The Major-General visited the Battalion.

1940 June 19
Northwood
Digging in progress.
Captain P.F.I. REID rejoins the Battalion.

1940 June 20
Northwood
10 civilian coaches arrive to aid M.T. deficiencies.
List of officer as allotted to Companies - New Officers joining (Appendix ‘J’)

1940 June 21
Northwood
Work started on trenches on golf course under Captain BRODRICK.

1940 June 22
Northwood
The Commanding Officer inspected billets.

1940 June 23
Northwood
Nothing to report.

1940 June 24
Northwood
Brigade Commander visited the Battalion.

1940 June 25
Northwood
0100 hours
Air Raid alarm.
All Clear.
Colonel GRANT visited the Battalion.

1940 June 26
Northwood
Commanding Officer saw all Company Commanders.

1940 June 27
Northwood
Regimental Adjutant visited the Commanding Officer.

1940 June 28
Northwood
1530 hours
The Commanding Officer inspected road-blocks with the Brigadier.
Training begins.

1940 June 29
Northwood
Captain BRODRICK joins BRIGADE as Intelligence Office.

1940 June 30
Northwood
The Commanding Officer makes a recce of road blocks.