War Diary - 238 Petrol Depot, RASC

Hi all,

I thought I'd post some of this diary up (WO 171/2289) as it contains interesting details:

WO 171/2289 – 238 Petrol Depot RASC

1 April 1944 BURGHEAD
Exercise ‘Leapyear’ “cease fire”. Unit returns to location.
Exercise proved valuable – wet landing was good training and essential experience for the many uninitiated. Combined unit dump successful but many loose ends to tie up.

2 April 1944
[no entry]

3 April 1944 ALNESS
Training programme cancelled in favour of concentration on final polish to unit equipment and stores.
Warning Order for ‘Exercise Handsup’.

4 – 10 April 1944
[no entries]

11 April 1944 ALNESS
Road party leaves for concentration area. From this unit – 3 ton assault scale on 299 transport. No personnel.

12 April 1944 ALNESS
237 Petrol Depot leaves location for move ‘Handsup’.

13 April 1944 ALNESS
Residual G.1098 equipment moves from location on eight 3-tonners of 299 Coy (GT).

14 – 16 April 1944
[no entries]

17 April 1944 ALNESS
Loading balance of assault scale in rail wagons.

18 April 1944 ALNESS
This unit moves South on train 18-SC-20 – 1605 hrs.

19 April 1944 PETWORTH
This unit arrives Billingshurst 1600 hrs and moves by road to Petworth.

20 April 1944 PETWORTH
This unit accommodated in Nisen huts – comparatively good conditions.

21 April 1944 PETWORTH
O.C. granted Privilege leave. Unit engaged on 1098 maintenance.
No provision yet made for disposal of residual G1098 stores.

22 – 23 April 1944
[no entries]

24 April 1944 PETWORTH
Unit engaged on normal training programme.

25 – 29 April 1944
[no entries]

30 April 1944 PETWORTH
O.C. returns from leave.

 

1 May 1944 PETWORTH
Unit training continues. Final polish being given to mechanical and technical training, and emphasis on physical fitness.

2 May 1944 PETWORTH
The granting of a regular weekly 24 hrs pass has useful influence on morale of men which remains steady.

3 May 1944
[no entry]

4 May 1944 PETWORTH
Lt. W. Hall returns from Exercise “FABIUS”.

5 May 1944
[no entry]

6 May 1944 PETWORTH
Conference at CRASC HQ re distribution of operational jerricans + Compo.

7 May 1944 PETWORTH
This unit sets up P.P’s at camps of 6 Beach Group units.
1430 Conference at BG HQ. Admin. “Overlord”.

8 – 10 May 1944
[no entries]

11 May 1944 PETWORTH
Unit training cancelled. Unaccompanied G.1098, both residual and pre-loaded, to be re-worked. Serial numbers not to be used, name in clear to be used, but covered by metal plate. A lengthy job.

12 -13 May 1944
[no entries]

14 May 1944 PETWORTH
1430 Confernce at BG. HQ. Admin “Overlord”.

15 May 1944 PETWORTH
Loading trials. Austin 3 Ton 4 x 4 proves capable of taking 5 Ton load on very steep gradients. Austin vehicle has continuously given fine performance.

16 May 1944 PETWORTH
Despatched 6 Ton Assault G.1098 pre-loaded on 2 (two) DUKWS.

17 May 1944 PETWORTH
1098 re-working continues. Collected 3 Ton 4 x 2 to complete W.E.
Lt. Hall [??] W/E posted.

18 May 1944 PETWORTH
Rehearsal for G.O.C’s parade. Entire afternoon taken off.

19 May 1944 PETWORTH
Posted F.F.S.S. complete with vehicle and equipment. Posted home details etc (incdg [??] Cpl Page).

20 May 1944 PETWORTH
1000 Recd. orders from B.G. to dispatch residual 1098 equipment to Frecklesham [??] on 21st. Same orders contained even more amendments to marking of eqpt.

21 May 1944 PETWORTH
Residual G.1098 despatched. Difficulty now occurs when 1098 deficiencies arrive. No space on assault and no bids for residual shipping space (D+21).

22 May 1944 PETWORTH
Group inspected by the King. Very impressive spectacle from which some value was taken by very exhausting work by troops.

23 May 1944 PETWORTH
Some items of equipment still deficient but Ordnance appears to be doing a good job against considerable odds. Troops quiet and not excited. No signs of tension.

24 May 1944
[no entry]

25 May 1944 PETWORTH
The Group C.O. addresses all units – gives message from “Monty”, tps impressed by informative and fresh items of news. A very valuable address.

26 May 1944 PETWORTH
0001 All troops confined to camps. “Sealing” put into operation.
0900 Beach Sub Area briefing commences. After 15 months training for beach work we are now about to reap the harvest.
Confidence appears to be the key note.

27 May 1944 PETWORTH
0900 Group Commander briefs all officers.
1800 Final conference of Petrol Depot executives.

28 May 1944 PETWORTH
Unit briefing commences. Reaction of men is one of tremendous interest. One man removed to hospital with nervous disturbance not entirely due to situation.

29 May 1944 PETWORTH
Loading of assault vehicles. Issue of Francs. Unit briefing continues.

30 May 1944 PETWORTH
1715 Recce Party moves to Marshalling Area.

31 May 1944 PETWORTH
Group moves to Marshalling Area.
1500 Unit splits into craft parties and departs Petworth for Marshalling Area.
1800 Unit arrives Camps A2 – A4 – A5. Movement OK. [Waterlooville]

 

1 – 2 June 1944 A.5
Confined to camp – little news.

3 June 1944
Vehicle party moves to embarkation area. Move of other parties cancelled.

4 June 1944
Vehicle party embarked LST 618 – other parties warned.

5 June 1944
Advance and main parties embarked Southsea in LCI(L) 606 LST 618 respectively. Move slow but effective. Night on water – accommodation very overcrowded – all personnel impressed by naval might – plenty of food – men cheerful.

6 June 1944 SOLENT
0800 2nd Tide fleet sails. Heavy swell causes some sickness otherwise uneventful trip – no enemy interference – almost exercise conditions. “O” Group immediately ashore [“Queen Beach”]. B.G. commander advises 1st Key Plan not in operation – enemy embarrassingly near – strong point overlooking original site – Pet. Dep. To be established under [??] 150 yards of beach temporarily. Advance Party joins up with 237 Pet. Dep. who have received stores on the temporary site. Noted dangerous proximity of arms dump and also no room for expansion. 237 P.D. complete, 238 Main and vehicle parties not arrived. Recce party engaged in fighting when landed early in day – stands by for recce when strong point is reduced – work through night.

7 June 1944 COLVILLE-SUR-MER
Supplies arrive steadily and small issues are made. 27 Armd Bde using Derv are best customers. Snipers and shelling of beach caused some explosions. Temporary site becomes dangerous as more P.O.L. arrives and no dispersal possible.
B.G. “O” Group asked for new site – none available – strong point not yet reduced. Recce party still awaiting opportunity to reach original site. Plenty of air activity. Good R.A.F. cover but enemy appears to be aware of absence of cover and immediately takes advantage – AA gunners have much success. Men tired but unshaken – 238 Pet. Dep. personnel arrive (Main & Veh parties). After day and night on water in bay – night of alarms and little damage. Some men stood down for sleep.

8 June 1944 COLVILLE-SUR-MER
After night of tension with enemy continually overhead O.C. again reports to B.G. HQ necessity for new site. Staff Capt. visits Pet. Dep. and recce is made of adjoining area. Additional recce made by O.C. and Major Butcher [??] of Ammo Dump. New site selected and O.C. calls officers to discuss move. Stores now pouring in.
1230 Enemy hits depot as O.C. plans new dump. Disastrous fire within 60 seconds. H.E. hits loaded DUKW – immediate fire in petrol Depot and Ammo dump. Officers of dumps attempt to move and save transport. Many drivers leave vehicles and flee. One O.R. of 96 D.I.D. steps forward and rescues one 3 Tonner. Fire always out of control and ammo dump now well alight. Capt. Erdal O.C. 237 badly injured as also is Lt. Col. Sale, B.G. Commander. Work commenced immediately on clearing site recced this morning. Very little assistance, considerable hindrance.
2000 First supplies received in new site. Roll calls proves casualties to be Capt. Erdal and Pte Price – Price shock. 27 Armd Bde demands Derv and is supplied by residue at burnt out site. No hold up caused by loss of stock. Still very small issues due to static line. Estimated loss 400 – 450 Tons P.O.L. 237 – 238 loose all 1098 equip. (incl vehicles, all records and most personal kit – noisy [??] night.

9 June 1944 Sword No 2 Site
New site rapidly expands and new fields taken over. Depot now develops along line of hedges, small fields providing staggering of rows. Enemy mine warnings ignored by necessity. Time is all important factor and various signs treated as bluff. Supplies exceeding issues by 8 and 10 to one.
Lt. Hall joins 237 P.D.


10 June 1944
0400 Depot hit by three H.E. bombs and a container of S.D.Is. Fierce petrol fire but dispersal limits extent. All men working valiantly and energetically in fierce heat and glare to move adjoining stacks. Enemy continually overhead – depot efforts successful and at dawn the fire was under control. The Labour personnel of depot (D Coy 1st Berks and D Coy 5th Kings) made very good show. Fine spirit.
1400 Recce 1st Key Plan site. Lt. Coe joins 237 P.D. Estimated loss 18 – 20 tons P.O.L.
1800 237 – 238 move to new site [Cresserons] leaving rear party under comd. Lt. gibbon. New site large, flat and very little cover. O.C. decides that dispersal is given Priority ( stores on ground at 2000 hrs. Issues made from rear party. Receipts still exceeding issues by 7 – 8 to one – stock now 679 tons.
Confirmation [??] at last; Major Scott 101 Beach Sub Area orders delivery of emergency transport (1 “Weasel” and 2 m/c procured). Personnel now the dirtiest most unkempt crowd ever, but very determined.

11 June 1944 CRESSERONS
Depot rapidly expands – stacks of 5 – 7 tins well dispersed long strip cultivation. Dispersal gives necessary protection but adds to control difficulties (traffic – Labour etc). Labour shortage now felt. Supplies of towels, soap, razor blades etc procured for men.

12 June 1944
Planning continues – Park receipts 780 Tons – greatest difficulty is accounting – approx figures only are being returned. 237 – 238 suffering through loss of equipment and 1398. Most personnel now issued with most immediate necessities.

13 June 1944
Expansion continues – receipts heavy. Many visitors incl. Brig’s Gillispie and Dominic Browne. Pet Deps. 237 – 238 now under command CRASC 17 S.U. as 2nd Army Troops. Increased Labour.

14 June 1944
Labour changes from Infantry to 95 Pioneer Coy. Ordered to recce new site by CRASC 17 S.U. – Recced but cancelled. Command rather obscure – true role even more obscure – most obscure item being forecast of daily tonnage. No accurate or near accurate figure yet received. Would be of great assistance.
15 men of 132 Pet Dep. attached. 16 of Movement Control arrive in depot.
Night receipts light. First day of real accounting. Still feeling loss of 1398 and other equipment.

15 June 1944
Command Post (101 Beach Sub Area) suggests salvage of M.T.87 in fuel tanks of wrecked L.S.I.(S)’s. Recce by O.C. 237 proves unit equipment to be useless.
1900 Mustang Mark III crashes in depot. Pilot safe. No night work.
New CRASC H appears to be co-operative and helpful.

16 June 1944
Lighter receipts. Depot signing now taken in hand – close co-operation and assistance by Pro. 245 HQ Coy. Mail deliveries slow and not much news – enemy continues spasmodic shelling of beach – another attempt at salvage proves useless – difficult to contact navy personnel for pump etc. Completed dispersal of stocks. Primary depot complete, sub depots each area dispersed but complete in all natures. No night work. Battle tension relaxes and men tend to become slacker.

17 June 1944
Small receipts. Large issues – commence petrol salvage of LCI(S) 509. Very slow business – asking CRASC 17 SU for addition equip. Enemy shell Cresseron 2115, apparently nuisance raid. Command now apparently 11 L of C Terminal.

18 June 1944
This depot starts to be eaten down to 1500 Tons. Still no accurate forecast or pre advice of stores to be handled. Movement control working in depot and co-operating.

19 June 1944
Attempt to use tankers to speed up salvage ops – no report yet received as to result – services of 132 + 134 P.D. called on for this purpose. Rum issue. Road repair now urgent. First conference of Service reps at No. 1 Roadhead H.Q.

20 June 1944
Salvage of L.C.Is continues with use of Road tankers – still very slow. Enemy still shelling beaches. Nights very noisy. R.A.F. maintains day air supremacy.

21 June 1944
Beaches too rough to work. Seas very high – no mail.

22 June 1944
Sea again too rough. No mail. Continuing re-org of dept. A [??] of 1098 replacement arriving.

23 June 1944
No mail. Enemy shells beach with success – hits ammo. ships. Lt. Coe posted to 57 B.S.D.

24 June 1944
Policy of eating down stocks of 101 P.O.L. was felt, receipts almost nil, issues moderate, enemy still very short distance away. Men moderately cheerful, comparatively peaceful situation induces tendency to slack. Talk to men is solution. Mail arrives.

25 June 1944
L. of C. Conference at No. 1 Roadhead H.Q. appears to be useful. Work on depot continues peacefully [??].

26 June 1944
Timetable for issues operates from today. Services 1st Corps and 71st Inf. Bde. Attend conference 2nd Army Troops Command at 2130 hrs. Rain plays havoc with track.
Ask No. 1 Roadhead conference for road mending [??] party.
Exceptionally heavy barrage heard from sector in front of this beach.

27 June 1944
Issues much heavier on new programme. Advised in roundabout fashion that target holdings will be increased to 2500 tons. Still some confusion in command. No road party arrives – track dries out in time. Men more cheerful. Greatest difficulty re men’s welfare is lack of bathing facilities. Greater attention could have been justified because of men living in holds and under extremely unhygienic circumstances. Still unable to procure 2nd pair of shirts cellular. Some of the most romantic of the Press reports receive caustic comments in men’s mail and on the whole is rather dangerous.

28 June 1944
Small party of civilian labour arrives for road mending. We receive news that Capt. Erdal ex O.C. 237 Pet. Dep. died in C.C.S. Issues remain higher, receipts still nil. 27 Armd Bde returns F.T.F. Stock check reveals large discrepancies. During time of stress an approx figure of receipts is taken. This is deliberately kept low as a safety precaution but discrepancy is larger than expected.

29 June 1944
Stocks again checked and difference taken on charge. More civilian labour arrives but little work accomplished. 1 x 3 Ton 4 x 4 collected from 17 A.O.D. Advised that replacements of personnel are now available. This unit still handicapped by lack of office equipment and “bumph” [??]. Combination of 237 – 238 Pet. Depot continues to work very satisfactorily.

30 June 1944
Road work continues. Higher figure for issues. First issues of 100 octane. Residual 1098 not yet arrived. Small party of men of this unit visited Bayeux for Army show [??].

 

JUNE 1944.

238 Petrol Depot, R.A.S.C.

TONNAGE HANDLED.

DATE RECEIPTS ISSUES

June

10 1054 (stock) -
11 629 73
12 780 97
13 727 88
14 711 133
15 255 35
16 323 188
17 163 134
18 115 142
19 1 119
20 21 139
21 3 83
22 74 132
23 109 64
24 33 122
25 8 100
26 44 182
27 22 178
28 19 185
29 6 193
30 6 217
5103 2604

Note: All records in initial stages destroyed by Enemy action.

[sgd: ??]
Capt. R.A.S.C.
Commanding 238 Petrol Depot, R.A.S.C.

The Field.
1 July 44.

 

The Fires of 8th / 10th June must have been awful for those Men to see and deal with.

 

There is a photo on the thread for 237 Petrol Depot which shows how large the fires were:

War Diary - 237 Petrol Depot RASC

Regards

Tom

 

1 July 1944 CRESSERONS
[??] stoves (6) provided by No. 1 Roadhead for hot water for baths. Primitive arrangements but men very appreciative. New driver arrives.

2 July 1944
2 issuers [??] arrive, now only one man def. (cook).
2350 H.E. bomb at south end of depot, no alarm, no disturbance [??], large hole.

3 – 7 July 1944
Normal and uneventful.

8 July 1944
R.A.F. detachment filmed at work. Never any need for R.A.F. liaison personnel. Work always done by ARMY and never chance of liaison in fact. Co-operation is very satisfactory.

9 July 1944
N.A.A.F.I. programme in arrears. Extra issued of N.A.A.F.I. packs. Men particularly well looked after from cigs, choc and [??] point of view.
1330 Enemy drops shells on depot. Fortunate – a shell splinter goes through 40 gall steel drum – no fire – splinter direct through petrol not [??].

10 July 1944
Terrific aerial bombardment of Caen. Warned of change of command from Army Troops to 11 L of C. Again lack tonnage advise, never yet received reliable tonnage forecast. This is a most important item to dump commander. Many cases of uneconomic use of labour and transport direct result of misinformation.

11 July 1944
Confirmed change of command. Received more residual 1098 many tons still missing. Some men showing physical strain, tummy trouble due to long hours and rushed meals, everything is still sacrificed to quick turn round of vehicles. 132 Pet Depot arrives to take over major portion of area. Their role, all divs, corps, army etc. Ours – sub area and L of C troops. Seen aerial maps of dump area, so good they could not be much improved. Very satisfied that training has shown such a good dividend. Compo ration still very well received.

12 July 1944
Continued working entire site for 132 to enable them to settle in. One unpleasant item must be recorded. Scrounging, pilfering, thieving reaches tremendous height. Nothing quite safe. Many unit commanders encourage this epidemic by ignoring it and by example.

13 July 1944
132 works entire area, we are busy on reconstruction and re-planning our section of the area. No P.O.L. duties today.

14 July 1944
Collected first issues of canteen goods from E.F.I. – beer pleases the boys.
Cloudy weather and enemy attacks occasionally by day. First issues of bread, very pleasing.

15 July 1944
237 Pet. Deport moves. Partnership from D Day now broken.
Combined depots and Beach Group appear to have been very successful.
First issues from this depot to sub area troops.

16 July 1944
132 very heavily engaged on beach receipts, some transport to this depot to assist and relieve pressure. Nights still very noisy.

17 July 1944
Few more cases of bowel looseness, nothing serious. M/Cs most useful vehicle for depot work. Field Depots should have more on establishment.

18 July 1944
Liberators flying back from enemy lines drop 3 bombs on depot, no damage, no alarm. Tremendous barrage and bombing – [??] of occurs.

19 July 1944
Normal and uneventful.

20 July 1944
Visit A.S. Depot. Torrential rain floods roads for miles and causes acute discomfort to troops living in holes – taken with great humour by troops.
Visit by P.A.D. officer. I lodged protest that F.F. was not given sufficient thought or priority. Position in this area now very serious because of extremely large holdings by 132. No water, no operational fire fighting equipment. We have pump but no hose delivery, we have foam compound but no foam apparatus. Asked ORD to hasten.

21 July 1944
Again asked R.E’s to dig static water tanks, no definite answer, shortage of M.E. is reason. More rain and depot roads almost out of commission. Collected typewriter and stationary from A.S.D.

22 July 1944
6 – 7 tons of Residual 1098 still missing. Pioneers still “scrounging”.

23 July 1944
Much unpainted (uncamouflaged) tentage appearing in area. Cannot see reason why tentage should not be painted before leaving factory. Men enjoyed real showers at Hotel in Lion sur Mer, by courtesy of 7th East Yorks. Roster fixed.

24 July 1944
Depot life almost unaffected by the war. Business is routine and very dull. Prospects of base sub area duties not pleasing to O.C. and is waste of an experienced unit. Tonnage handled very minute.

25 July 1944
Beach Group appears to be breaking up. This diary would not be complete without recording great success of No. 6 Beach Group. Grand co-operation, superb direction and command by Lt. Col. Sale, now injured and in U.K., and a series of exercises made the real invasion just another job and with no unexpected twists.

26 July 1944
During past 10 days some instances have occurred of water in cans marked M.T.80. None have been detected in depot but units have immobilised a vehicle or two by water in the petrol tank. Sabotage is possible but not likely. Spirit may have been stolen in docks at U.K. and water replaced in cans to escape detection. Another possibility is that drivers of vehicles are using jerricans, with M.T. 80 tap [??] still on, for water and then confusion occurs and it is used as spirit. We have noted cases of misuse of M.T. 80 jerricans and have asked 11 L of C to publish in orders and to advise Army against this practice.

27 July 1944
Detachment of 94 B.P.T.C. arrives in depot to fill empty cans. Capt. Comdt [??] Fire Brigade is taken on tour of dump area and is shown serious fire risk and inadequate equipment and arrangements. He will send 2 sections into area, will attempt to interest “higher authority” in this matter, will attempt to procure tarpaulins for static water tanks. O.C. raises question of F.F. equipment with Major Potts [??] ADST Pet 11 L of C Area. Still short of 1098 F.F. equip.

28 July 1944
2 F. Fighting sections arrive in 132 Pet Depot.

29 July 1944
Dvr. Stead [??] injured whilst lighting petrol cooker.

30 July 1944
Non-eventful.

31 July 1944
Non-eventful.
One aspect of last months affair need comment. “British Liberation Army”. B.W.E.F. was a title the boys were satisfied with, possibly proud of, the new romantic title is reckoned out of place, is a subject of ridicule and savours too much of Fleet Street reporting.

 

Unimaginable for us now really, the sheer noise and heat must have been intense.

 

1 August 1944 CRESSERONS
Work at long last commences on static water holes. Dvr. Stead burns himself on Petrol Stove and is evacuated to U.K.

2 – 3 August 1944 CRESSERONS
Uneventful.

4 August 1944 CRESSERONS
Change of CRASC, now under disciplinary command of 31 Tran. Coln.

5 – 7 August 1944 CRESSERONS
“Normal business” & little excitement.

8 August 1944 CRESSERONS
O.C. unit reports to D.D.S.T. HQ L of C Col. de la Bare [??].
27 Armd Bde demands to draw P.O.L. from “238” because “we always received good and prompt service even on D Day and early days” since which apparently they had come up against static minded depots and loads of red tape which had considerably slowed up their collection of P.O.L. This unsolicited testimonial from the field of battle was much appreciated by the boys.

9 August 1944 CRESSERONS
O.C. visits D.A.D.S.T. Pet 7 Base Sub Area (Major James) and recces new site in Caen.

10 August 1944 CRESSERONS
Change of Command – now 7 Base Sub Area.

11 – 16 August 1944 CRESSERONS
Lots of alarms and excursions re new site but gradually it is crystallising. 7 Base Sub Area promise much R.E. support in laying [??] roads and making static water tanks.

17 August 1944 CRESSERONS
Warning order to move to Caen on 20th and open depot for 21st.

18 August 1944
[no entry]

19 August 1944 CRESSERONS
Sign over stock on ground to 244 Pet Dep.

20 August 1944 CAEN
Completed move to Caen and received first deliveries. Area in a hell of a mess by Allied bombing and bivouac area by previous tenants.

21 August 1944 CAEN
Commenced business in new site. R.E. assistance, filling craters etc postponed.

22 August 1944 CAEN
Pte. Tilbury, Dvr. Dryson hospital tummy trouble. [??] these expected.

23 August 1944 CAEN
Trade increases. No time to set up satisfactory bivvy area. Flies and [??] serious and numerous cases of tummy trouble.

23 – 26 August 1944 CAEN
R.E. assistance not materializing. Future of depot obscure and authority reluctant to put down permanent roads or workings of any kind. Temporary road just possible. Rain would make depot impassable.

27 August 1944 CAEN
Command changes to HQ 12 L of C Area. DADST(Pet) Major Sumerfield [??]
Bulldozer procured at last by unofficial means. No success through official channels.

28 August 1944 CAEN
35 M.P.F.C. arrives Capt. Gosling. Temporary road (tracking) partly completed.

29 August 1944 CAEN
35 M.P.F.C. commences work. This ensures smooth flow of jerricans.

30 August 1944 CAEN
Trade still vigorous. Non operational accounting places great strain on HQ staff particularly as each HQ in chain of command requires separate copies.

31 August 1944
[no entry]

To be honest, I'm not sure about some of the individual's names in this diary - I think the O.C. must have been a doctor in a previous life as his writing is somewhat spidery!

Regards

Tom

 

1 September 1944 CAEN
Petrol policy crystallises and Petrol Station will be opened to service rear area and passing vehicles. Bulk and barrel fuel will be the order for all rear aras.

2 September 1944 CAEN
Business still increasing. Still many cases of sickness. From a health point of view compo ration would be best for area so polluted as Caen. Flys are uncontrollable even now when strict army hygiene is in operation.

3 September 1944 CAEN
This depot opens petrol station in Caen. Rapid advance almost breaking supply system and units are now returning from East of the Seine to draw P.O.L. This unit making no limitation and all forward units are supplied.

4 September 1944 CAEN
Men working extremely well. 2 sections of 53 Pioneer Coy averaging 13 tons per man per day.

5 September 1944 CAEN
Comp. Platoon of 11 B.P.T.C. arrives to assist. Capt. Kemp.

6 – 7 September 1944 CAEN
Policy of Bulk now being felt. Barrel issues [??].
Policy of rendering separate 1033 in quintuplicate for U.S. Army issues adds to accounting pressure. A consolidated voucher would ease matters considerably and would be more applicable in a theatre of war.

8 September 1944 CAEN
35 M.P.F.C. moves backward without completing job. Comp. platoon moves to take up fresh role. Dryden [??] & Tompson [??] collected from R.H.U. Two new issuers arrive. Hard and Haines [??].

9 September 1944 CAEN
10 men from Comp. Platoon 252 Coy arrive. 12 more Pioneers of 53 Coy arrive. Issues of over 300 Tons. Heavy issues to forward troops some of whom are returning 200 miles to collect.

10 September 1944 CAEN
Discover that the two new men have not received typhus inoculations although both had spent considerable time in RHU’s in U.K.

11 September 1944 CAEN
Receipts of P.O.L. break down. Stocks already depleted since departure of M.P.G.C. and down to one day’s stock.

12 September 1944 CAEN
Receipts of P.O.L. again break down. Transport main problem. This unit fills barrels from bulk to assist situation. Confusing and hard work to maintain depot under these conditions.

13 September 1944 CAEN
Barrel filling continues in attempt to get stocks on ground. Warned by Major Price of impending move of the two sections of 53 Pioneer Coy.

14 September 1944 CAEN
53 Coy Pioneers depart and 151 (2 sections) arrive. This move of labour after we have trained them is detrimental to smooth and accurate work.

15 – 17 September 1944
[no entries]

18 September 1944 CAEN
151 Coy Pioneers mover from depot and 69A 2 sections arrive. Again chaos – no comments.

19 – 20 September 1944
[no entries]

21 September 1944 CAEN
No attention to roads. Depot has not even a complete circuit of summerfeld. O.C. emphasises to CDRE that action is necessary and urgent. Wet weather will disable depot.

22 – 24 September 1944
[no entries]

25 September 1944 CAEN
The two sections of alien labour from 69 Coy Pioneers are extremely good workers.

26 September 1944
[no entry]

27 September 1944 CAEN
P.O.W. Labour in depot for wiring perimeter and domestic jobs.

28 September 1944 CAEN
Discussed winter accom. with D.C.R.E. Major Satchall – no action possible yet. Just an assessment of requirements.

29 September 1944 CAEN
Borrow, unofficially, an Auto [??] Patrol and mark site for winter road, need grows more desperate but no action from R.E’s.

30 September 1944 CAEN
P.O.W. labour very useful and willing. One section of 69 Coy Pioneers exchanged for fresh section – more headaches for depot. P.O.L. output is now 95% barrel or bulk. Army wide campaign for Jerricans.

 

1 October 1944 CAEN
Issues decreasing and stock mounting.

2 October 1944 CAEN
Continued receipts at night causes difficulties. Checking inaccurate and hours of work much too long.

3 October 1944 CAEN
The Sections of 69 A Coy Pioneers depart and are replaced by 3 sections of French Pioneers. English is now spoken only rarely and in odd corners of this depot. French and German predominate and the result is as expected. The Petrol Station lends itself to graft and misuse of P.O.L. as the civil population make attractive offers for “Petrol” or “Essence”.

4 October 1944 CAEN
Commenced filling cans in addition to barrels.

5 October 1944 CAEN
Heavy rains make depot almost impassable. Seen B. Major and Staff Capt. Q at 101 Sub Area Beach.

6 October 1944 CAEN
Depot tracks worse then ever, re-visit S.C.Q. and D.C.R.E. Summerfeld promised in 2 – 3 days. Key objection on grounds that this tracking with no foundation is only very temporary.

7 October 1944 CAEN
Personnel feeling strain of continuous work since D Day. Long hours, hard work, hard conditions and language trouble but most men showing fine spirit.

8 October 1944 CAEN
Dryden placed in guard room – scene in Caen.

9 October 1944
[no entry]

10 October 1944 CAEN
R.E’s commence laying somerfeld track. Track laid on soil with no foundations. Depot commander states to R.E’s that this method is waste of good material and that life of track will be but one or two weeks. Again demand hard core road.

11 October 1944 CAEN
D.C.R.E. agrees to build filling sheds.

12 October 1944 CAEN
Circuit completed. Agree plan of winter camp with DCRE + C.E.

13 October 1944 CAEN
1300 Many sections of Somerfeld track disappear. 6 Nissen huts arrive.

14 October 1944 CAEN
Plan of camp altered by R.E’s – work suspended.

15 October 1944 CAEN
Agreed to final plan of proposed camp.

16 October 1944 CAEN
Work on Nissens goes ahead.

17 October 1944 CAEN
2nd Plan disagreement. Work on Nissens cease.

18 October 1944 CAEN
2nd Plan agreed. Work re-commences.

19 October 1944 CAEN
Heavy rain in Normandy becoming serious – depots a sea of mud. Extreme difficulty – this depot.

20 October 1944 CAEN
Hard core road commenced with mud so thick that stone cannot find bottom. Chaos in depot.

21 – 25 October 1944 CAEN
French civilians now assume petrol to be legitimate spoil. Many attempts to steal stocks – to buy stocks – to barter with women and wine – to seduce troops from their duty. Tremendous difficulty to sort legitimate French demands from illegitimate. F.F.I. are amongst worst offenders, some in genuine military service others trading on the uniform and name.
Latest prices for a jerrican of M.T. 80 rise rapidly and are now quoted at 1,000 frcs. per can. Warned men weeks ago of this possibility and believe no breach of duty yet.
Petrol Station is greatest danger because of necessity elastic procedure and the fact that French Pioneers are actually engaged in issues and handling petrol at No. 5 Pet. Station with but little RASC supervision. Heavy and continuous rain causing extreme difficulties in depot (main).
Unit 3 Ton 4 x 4 Austin does tremendous work in pulling out vehicles from mud. Very fine performance.

26 October 1944 CAEN
We open sub-depot on a town road. A triple carriageway ensures plenty of hard standing, and a grass verge ensures that fuel for vehicles will always be available even if main depot completely bogs up. Commence filling barrels on large scale – 18,000 galls per day. Fire and Labour problems increased by this move but judged by us as more than justified by the assured continuity of petrol supplies.

27 October 1944 CAEN
Hell! Warned of another change of Pioneers.

28 October 1944 CAEN
Sub Depot more than justifies itself. Main depot almost impossible.

29 October 1944 CAEN
First unit match in Caen football league.

30 October 1944 CAEN
Winter hutting almost completed. All men now sleeping in Nissen huts. No stoves – heat badly needed to dry boots and clothes of men. Health of men surprisingly good.
Hard core road 1/3 complete. Confirmation that new Pioneers will be Arabs (French Algerian). Consternation reigns because of bad bill of health of these troops and anticipated technical difficulties and doubt re safety of stocks.

31 October 1944 CAEN
3rd Coy French Pioneers 3 Batt. depart – No arrival of Algerians. Substitutes hurriedly produced by 86 Pioneer Group.

 

1 November 1944 CAEN
French Algerian troops arrive to take up labour duties in depot. Low health standard – V.D. cases. I reported filthy unsanitary habits cause them to be unwelcome to this camp.

2 November 1944 CAEN
Area fouled by Algerians. O.C. visit to DADMS to ask his assistance to remove them. DADMS will act. O.C. visits Commander 86 Pioneer Group to ask for change of Pioneers.

3 November 1944 CAEN
101 Sub Area agrees that Algerians not suitable. Camp now almost complete. Road very slowly shaping.

4 November 1944
[no entry]

5 November 1944 CAEN
48 hrs leave to Paris commences, great enthusiasm.

6 – 8 November 1944
[no entries]

9 November 1944 CAEN
Algerians removed – thank God!

10 November 1944 CAEN
First sign of DERV shortage in rear L of C area.

11 – 12 November 1944 CAEN
[no entries]

13 November 1944 CAEN
Col. Montgomery – Commander 101 Sub Area phones news that O.C. is awarded M.B.E.

14 – 17 November 1944
[no entries]

18 November 1944 CAEN
Problem of empties disposal grows acute. Forward areas not ready to receive – other areas not accepting.

19 – 21 November 1944
[no entries]

22 November 1944 CAEN
All reports from men have tremendous praise for 48 hrs Paris leave arrangements. All men thrilled with accommodation.

23 – 25 November 1944
[no entries]

26 November 1944 CAEN
Depot circuit complete.

27 November 1944 CAEN
21 AG rules that P.O.Ws will not handle P.O.L., up to this date P.O.W’s have been tremendously useful.

28 November 1944 CAEN
Recced railway siding for storage of empty P.O.L. containers.

29 November 1944
[no entry]

30 November 1944 CAEN
Close No. 5 Petrol Station and take over accounting responsibilities of 33 Pet. Station.
Commence Jerrican dump at Hay [??] rly siding Caen.

 

That's all I've got of that diary, it would be interesting to know if they moved forward from Caen at some point over the winter.

Regards

Tom

 

Hello Tom,
Is the 238 Petrol depot the same as 238 Depot Control Team ??

 

Hi,

Good question; I'm not sure to be honest. Is their any indication of which Corps they belonged to ?

Regards

Tom

 

Hello Tom Thankyou for the reply he was in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC)

One of the reasons I am tracing this is that he apparently liberated one of the concentration camps and I am looking more into that story and obviously the war diaries would be crucial to that .
I do notice that yours went to Dec 1944 would you know whether 1945 exists and what the number is by any chance

 

Neilo,

I have seen a few threads here, including one very recently, where a member has been told their subject was involved in the liberation of a concentration camp, often Bergen-Belsen (B-B). Various units came across B-B, but the main work was allocated to others and for example an armoured unit left as the war went on.

Their 1945 WD is WO 171/6629 is on: 238 Pet. Dep. | The National Archives and covers Jan.- Nov. Several members are regular visitors and can help - for a lower price than the TNA.

A search here indicates no-one else has this WD.

 

Hello David
I did come across a thread about the Mobile Laundry and Bath Unit being involved but I have found out he was part of the 238 Depot Control Team and as I see you have pointed out the WDS is of the 238 PETROL depot , I am not sure they are one and the same from my very initial studies - if they are however then that is fantastic to have the war diary that you mentioned and I am more than happy to visit Kew for the actual diary .

But as I say I am not convinced at this point they are the one and same outfit - For instance the WD WO171/10180 is for Depot Control Group Gp1 of the RAOC (And there are at least 5 of them on the list I have found none that are 238 though I will add....)

Anyway I do appreciate the input here and any advice is gratefully received as I am just starting out on this journey .

 

Not the same: "Depot Control" is RAOC, whereas 238 Pet Dep is RASC
Apparently there were Depot Control Companies RAOC, Depot Control Groups RAOC, Enemy Ammunition Depot Control Units RAOC, but I could not find "Depot Control Teams". See
Search results: "depot control" | The National Archives
You will notice that the earliest diaries start in April 1945 (for Enemy Ammunition Depot Control Units).

 

Looking into this a bit deeper in his service record which I have managed to find turns out the correct description of his posting appears to be the 64 Depot Control Company RAOC and thanks to that search you gave me the war diary appears to be WO1781/6974 so off to Kew I will go - Thankyou for all your help it has been really useful engaging with you knowledgeable people it has helped greatly