War Diary - April 1918

30th The commanding Officer accompanied by his Os.C. Coys and the I.O. recconoitred the back area, and noted possible contingencies that might arise in connexion with the 'Line of the Hills', 'the Loop Line' and 'the Intermediate Line'
Sickness, Admissions to hospital were the LOWEST on record for the past SIX months. Sick parades have been above the average. The prevailing diseases being IMPETIGO and BOILS.
22nd to 30th Battn in billets in ARZIGNANO. Training in every branch carried out with the greatest energy. Two rehearsal parades prior to the Inspection of the Brigade by GENERAL MANTOURI, commanding the 6th ITALIAN ARMY one carried out at TRISSINO under the Brigadier, the second under the Divisional General. On the 28th the 70thBrigade -less L.T.M.B. and transport - was inspected by GENERAL MANTOURI at the Flying Ground CASTEL GOMBERTO. 2nd/Lt F FLORY received the ITALIAN Silver medal 'for valour'
L.T.M.B. ??? BL
Roger O'Keeffe said...LTMB is Light Trench Mortar Battery (see http://www.westernfrontassociation.net/thegreatwar/articles/individuals/hunter.htm )
04 May 2008
Thank you Roger. BL
22nd Battn moved off at 10.45 a.m. and marched to billets in ARZIGNANO. Arrived in billets at 1 p.m.
21st Battn moved off at 9.45 a.m. and marched to billets at GRUMO taking the route over the mountains from ISOLA VICENTINA - Very heavy rainstorm during the whole of the march but the Commanding Officer arranged for fires to be lighted in all billets on arrival & special drying rooms were allocated in addition so that all men and their clothes were thoroughly dried and no ill effects were experienced. Arrived in billets at 5.30 p.m.
20th Battn moved off at 9.30 a.m marching to camp at VILLA VERLA. Battn in camp at 1 p.m.
19th Battn moved to FARA area using the mountain mule tracks. Battn in billets by 3 p.m. having moved off at 8.45 a.m.
16th to 19th at GRENAZZA. In spite of very inclement weather, training was carried on continuously.
15th Battn moved off at 9.30 a.m. to hutements at GRENAZZA taking the mule track. Battn in hutements at GRENAZZA by 2.15 p.m.
I have just realised that the War Diary uses the 12 hour clock and, to me, it sounds very "unmilitary." Does anyone know when the army switched to the 24hour clock?
14th Battn at MARE. 2/Lts F FLORY and W MEAD were awarded the MILITARY CROSS for conspicuous gallantry on the night of the 9th, 10th of April. on the same date
17558 Pte J Shillington received the DCM.
10983 a/s V.G. Stokes received Bar to MM
15819 Pte R. Morgan received the MM
235382 Pte W Knight received the MM
DCM = Distinguished Conduct Medal, awarded for "Distinguished Conduct in the Field" and is second only to the Victoria Cross as a medal for gallantry. MC = Military Cross, MM = Military Medal. The MC is awarded to Officers, the MM is the equivalent for the other ranks. The Military Medal follows the DCM in order of rank and is awarded for "Bravery in the Field". Acting Sergeant Stokes' Bar, means that he has been awarded the medal for a second time. BL
13th Battn at MARE. Divisional baths allotted to Battn. 90 men per hour bathed.
12th Battn moved off at 10.15 a.m. from GRENAZZA following the road route to MARE. Battn - Some Coys in billets and some in Bivouacs - by 4 P.M.
11th The Battn was relieved by the 12th Durham Light Infantry. On relief, Battn withdrew by platoon at 200y intervals to GRENAZZA taking over billets from the 12th Durham Light Infantry. Battn in hutements at GRENAZZA by 1.30 pm.
8th t0 11th Battalion in the Line. Our patrols were very active nightly and on the night of 9 -10 a fighting patrol consisting of 2 Officers and 20 O.R. succeeded in capturing 2 prisoners - just outside the enemy's wire at MORAR. The patrol returned safely with the two prisoners without loss. 2/Lt F Flory was slightly wounded in the foot.
7th Battn in Line. 2/Lt Ward A B (& n0 4??) proceeded for attachment.
6th The Battn relieved the 8th K.O. Yorkshire L.I. in the Right Sub Sector (left Brigade). Companies marched off at 5 min intervals as follows-
D, C, A, B and HQ commencing at 10 a.m. Relief completed at 2.25 p.m.
D)
C )- Support
B)
A - Reserve
5th 'D' Coy plus 2 platoons of C Coy took over accommodation occupied by 'B' Coy plus 2 platoons of 'D' Coy of 8th York & Lancaster Regiment in the second line. 'C' Coy less 2 platoons took over accommodation occupied by 'A' Coy 8th York & Lancaster Regiment on N.W. slopes of Mount TORLEY. 'B' & 'D' Coys and Hd Qrs removed at LANGABISA.
1st -4th Bn in reserve in hutments at LANGABISA. During this period training in HILL FIGHTING was carried out in its various phases.