February
| PLACE | DATE | HOUR | SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION | REFERENCES TO APPENDICES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MONTEBUONI | 1 | 'S' patrol on combined jeep/foot schemes in CITTA de CASTELLO-SANSEPOLCRO-PIOBBICO area, with 'B' patrol in conjunction, road watching, tactics, smoke laying & target practice. | ||
| 2 | 'R' patrol & reserves in six parties of four men, dropped at intervals along AREZZO-SUBBIANO road, with intention to reach MONTEBUONI on foot in three days, under equivalent conditions to enemy country, (see appendix 'A') | |||
| 3 | 'S' & 'B' patrols return to base. | |||
| 4 | C.O. visits Main Army (8th) re-future operations. | 'A' On 4.2.45. at about 1200 hrs, two parties on this scheme were arrested by S.A.C.M.Ps as suspected enemy parachutists, in the MONTEVARCHI area. They were held for five hours during which time an Italian Division was moved into the MONTEVARCHI area by Florence Command as a precaution. | ||
| 5 | Personnel on foot scheme reach base. | |||
| 6-7 | Maintenance. | |||
| 8 | 1700 | By all patrols, combined foot/jeep scheme :- Foot party to make their way from area MONTEPULCIANO-PIENZA-S.QUIRICO to base in parties of three. | ||
| 9 | 0800 | Nine jeeps under personal direction of the CO. proceed to suitable check points to intercept foot parties. (see appendix 'B') | ||
| 10-11 | Jeeps in sections of three provide road blocks & carry out observation patrols. W/T link was opened very hour between each section & base to report position & account for movements. | 'B' Experience of this scheme shows that mobile patrols have little chance of intercepting foot parties. Observation from strategic points on lateral lines to the anticipated route, is found to be more effective. | ||
| 12 | End of scheme, all parties returned to base, followed by C.Os. lecture, review of scheme, points for future reference, etc. | |||
| 13-16 | Training under Capt. Campbell by all patrols including target practice, with all weapons, :- Browning 50 & 30, T.S.M.G., Carbine, 3 inch Mortar & Bazooka, followed by maps reading exercises, smoke laying, camouflage, & tactics. | |||
| 16 | C.O. visits A.F.H.Q. for discussion with Wing Commander Sharpe re- future operations. | |||
| 17-20 | Training continued as outlined above. C.O.returns to base on 20th. | |||
| 21 | C.O. visits Main 8th Army G.S.I. re- future operations. | |||
| 22-26 | Training continued with time off for sports under Lieut. Wallbridge, :- football, rugby, basketball, swimming, etc. | |||
| 27 | C.O. with party of 10 O.Rs selected from each patrol proceed to CESENA for Flame Throwing Course. | |||
| 28 | Court of Inquiry investigating the cause of injuries to 14379123 Spr. McAllister, J. (R.E. att. P.P.A.) received from the accidental explosion of a Bazooka bomb whilst undergoing firing practice at IMPRUNETA on 23.2.45. PRESIDENT:- G.A.Lee, Lieut. -- H.S.C. Wallbridge, Lieut., H. Moss, S.S.M. members. |
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