Diary of George William Edward Clark, January 1941 - September 1942 - Part 2

28 JANUARY 1941

385

We all got wet last night. very cold and

miserable morning. Did not sleep to much

although I felt like it. Rum and hot

coffee early. Very welcome. Shelled again

last night, a habit. Supposed to be 5.9 in

armor piercing shells. Supposed to be

reserves on way. Sooner the better we

think. A few close ones today!

 

29 JANUARY 1941

386

Another wet night last night. Some

old tents came up but everything was wet.

More shelling last night. H.E. close to my bed. Had

to fold wet blankets up before dry. Strength

of Derna garrison unknown. At least 1 not

more than 3 div. left in Lybia. 7 Div have

a armored Brig. coming to relive Derna

We could have some Naval and air cooperation 

and finish this place off.

30 JANUARY 1941 

DERNA

387

Terrific shelling last night until 1.15 AM.

Several big fires in DERNA by the glow in

the sky. Infantry in the streets. Ours!

Dogoes have retreated & mined the

road. I suppose we will now move

after all our work yesterday. We had

the place like a fort. Prepare to move! We

now have them on the run. Moved into

new position in a donga. Tough!

 

31 JANUARY 1941

388

A comfortable night last night, very quite

too. prepare to move. Wouldn't it! Went

down pass and through DERNA. A nice

place! The Ites made a hell of mess of road.

All green grass and palms. All buildings are

white. Went into position on a donga by

the sea shore under fire. Mail.

Reading letters and firing gun at same time

also ducking when they sent some close

ones back!

1 FEBRUARY 1941

389

A nice quite night again last night

A very lazy day. lying in sun nearly all

day. Have to move. We fired a few shots

in morning. Any time now. Go up pass

this afternoon, only two guns. There are

two roads up, old and new. We go up

old easier to fix. Made mess of them.

We went into position about 8 miles

from top. Received three letters

two from Mum and one from Moya

Bennett she is engaged to Graham.

They must have had half of mines in Lybia

on this road. And they are so useless. You can

pick them up a long way off and are easy to 'delouse'

It was a tough climb up. We passed a font that

we were firing on yesterday. It's rather a xxx

mess. Several direct hits.

2 FEBRUARY 1941

ON ROAD TO BENRASI

390  

Fired 32 shots this morning registering

one target!! Moved off again at 1PM.

will follow 2/8 Batt. until we meet the 

enemy. So they say! Went into position

but had to move out again in an hour

to another. Look like stopping the night

Yes we do! News is that 17 Brig. have moved

forward along way from another direction.

 

3 FEBRUARY 1941

391  

Had a fair sleep last night, not so cold this A.M.

overcast, like rain. Moved on at 8PM. and

dispersed off the road 35 KM. from DERNA.

Stay here for night. Maintenance for a long

trip tomorrow. The weather clearing up.

The wind is cold. Move early in morning.

Raining again. Very cold too! Nearly

sleet Brr-r-r.

4 FEBRUARY 1941

392 

Ready to move 7-30 but did not move

until midday. A wonderful road. Can 

do 55 to 75 MPH easily on the road. 

Travelling until well after dark. Ran into

Dagoes. They shot up three armored cars &

P.U. vans. All Tommies. Bivouaced for

night at 9 P.M. No tea. Ready to move

6.30A.M. tomorrow. Rumours 'Ita" left Bengasi

I got 2 Ite ground sheets out of captured truck.

 

5 FEBRUARY 1941

393

Moved out early and took up position with one

other gun along the road. Had breakfast. Then

went forward with rest of btn. Moved forward

and stopped at top of pass until

5.30P.M. moved down pass at dusk. Dagoes

made hell of a mess of road. So did our Engs.

to be able to get us down. A hair raising

experience. Bivouaced at bottom. Helped

skin a sheep. 2/1 FLD REGT. CAPTURED

BARCE.

6 FEBRUARY 1941

394

ON ROAD

Heavy rain this morning woke us up.

All got wet! Moved off 8 A.M. Went through

BARCE. A very nice town. All buildings are

white. Stopped at BARRACA for lunch.

A small village. Passed TOCRA on sea

shore. Bivouaced 21 KM. from Bengasi

all stone and rock. There are two plateaus

BARCE and Borrocca are 1,000 feet above sea.

 

7 FEBRUARY 1941

395

Had good but cramped sleep in front seat of truck

Moved through Bengasi about midday.

Italians held up by 7th Armored Div. about

50 miles south!! We stopped about 2 P.M.

ITS ALL OVER!!! Hooray! Italians have 

turned it in 7th Div cut them to pieces. Rumours

are flying! Tripoli fallen! fighting finished in

Lybia! Tons of equipment captured. We

bivouac for night here.

8 FEBRUARY 1941

396

TOCRA

I was on kitchen fatigue last night. Heavy

rain early in morning. I was quite dry! Back!

Moved off 9 A.M. The first time we

have moved back! Stopped 2 K.M. from

TOCRA. 60 K.M. from Bengasi. North!

What a hell of a place for a bivouac of

three days. Everything is damp. No cover

or shelter. Just flat ground. Wind blowing

straight from sea. Can hear surf. Pay

day! drew 500 mils  borrowed 15 stamps from

K. MAY. owe him 150 mils. Looks like a 

wet and cold night! Approximately -

£17-0-0 in pay book including 1/- a day

for trade pay that has not been entered

in pay book.

9 FEBRUARY 1941

397

BENINA

What a hell of a night! Rain and cold, but we

were all quite warm. Maintenance in morning

when rain stops! Prepare to move! We

are to go to a place, an airdrome back near

Bengasi! Arrived at Benina airdrome.

in afternoon! Raining. Huge airdrome. Many

planes on ground. Sleeping in large barrack room

one room for Troop. Don't know how long for!

 

10 FEBRUARY 1941

398

Had good nights sleep last night. Maintenance in

morning. A fine day, a light breeze. Everything

drying up, thank goodness. Rumours flying around.

Back to Helewan? ENGLAND? We are to have 

leave in Bengasi one day! I wish we could

get some time off to write letters. I want to

write several. Over 70 planes on this drome,

all ruined and out of order.

11 FEBRUARY 1941

399

Another good sleep last night. Bengasi was

bombed but I never heard anything. Don't

know who did it. More maintenance!

Surprise! Mr Menzies to visit us this

afternoon and give a personal speech. He

said Aust. was proud of us! He is going on

to London. will we follow him? Mail in! one

for me from M. Reynolds. Ethel & Judy ZINCH

 

12 FEBRUARY 1941

400

What a rude awakening. Bombs of on Bengasi

followed by a twin engined plane over us and

dropped 3 bombs at 7-30 A.M. missed anything

by a mile. Nothing doing much, finished maintenance.

Leave tomorrow for 6 men to Bengasi

Had a draw. I was lucky. Air raids on

Bengasi tonight for quite a long period.

Wrote to Mum.

13 FEBRUARY 1941

401

Celebrated Margarets birthday

BENINA AIRDROME

Woke up with the scream of a bomb. Then followed

more bombing and machine gunning! Just

missed a building. Took all the plaster off.

Huns! I go on leave today to Bengasi.

PREPARE TO MOVE!!! To hot for us! We

had to pack our stuff on trucks before going out.

Bengasi not much of a place, everything shut

up! Back at gun position 10 P.M.  ∗  10 LIRE

MARGO'S Birthday 26?

 

14 FEBRUARY 1941

402

What a marvellous view. See all the drome

also Bengasi in distance. But we are on

the wrong hill! Wouldn't it. move to new

position this forenoon. very cold & windy.

dug and filled sand bags. Leaving guns here &

going back to wagon lines! Guard to be left on.

Rumours of us going back & 7^th Div taking over!

maybe. Wagon lines are in Ammo. Dumps

15 FEBRUARY 1941

403

ER REGIMA

We move to wagon lines after lunch. A

marvellous place. Can have some fun on

railway line that runs right round the

place. about 20 magazines. Issue of

beer today or tomorrow with chocolates and

tobacco. Also a lots of clothing here! New

uniforms! This magazine was for bomb

and all arial ammunition. Close to

air drome. Huns are bombing Bengasi

nearly all night. Not a bad place, pretty

safe, though.

16 FEBRUARY 1941

404

ER REGIMA

Up at 7-30. breakfast 8. parade 9 A.M.

issue of clothing got new uniform! much

better out & fit & material. issue of beer

one bottle per man. Aussie beer! beautiful!!!

also 3 chocolates (cadburys). Tobacco & cigs

wrote to Margaret. easy day. having fun

with railway line & trolley. played cards

poker! won 45/- nice night. were paid today £1

 

17 FEBRUARY 1941

405

Heavy bombing this morning! The concussion

shook the steel shutters of the room. Hell of row.

Lecturess & foot drill in morning. Guns in afternoon.

supposed to be learning laying. But did nothing

Finish 4 P.M. In bed early tonight did not finish

cards last night until 12. Started a letter to

Mum Rumors of recall to AUST. Japan

very close to declaring war.

18 FEBRUARY 1941

406

Bty runner today just my luck only ½

day today. I believe. Have approx £20 A. in

pay book. Rumors of us leaving for Cairo

on 1^st March! Hope it is true. This

Bty runner is a bludge. R.H.G sent up

canteen this afternoon but only for

2nd Bty ours tomorrow. Mail!

3 for me Mum Monya & Judy Virtue

L. to Bede

 

19 FEBRUARY 1941

407

Foot drill and rifle drill in morning after

an accident to our 'railway line' 2 in

hospital. Nice day warm. Another air

raid last night. Also fog. Went to

guns in afternoon. got pay book back.

it is fully made up and extra pay included

6/7 payday. issue of cigs. 2 razor blades.

have £20 in pay book also £2-10-0 in cash

wrote to lennie

20 FEBRUARY 1941

408

ER REGIMA

A cold nippy morning with early fog.

turned out a perfect day. Lectures in

morning, foot drill and down to guns

for an hour before guns lunch. Back to 

guns after lunch. Am going on leave to

Bengasi tomorrow. Hope their is an 

air raid on.  2 enemy planes shot down

yesterday over Bengasi 1 by A.A. 1 by

R.A.A.F.

 

21 FEBRUARY 1941

409

Went on leave to Bengasi. All dressed up

in new uniform & boots. Quite warm.

Had a look at H.M.S TERROR. 6-4 in AA.

2-15in guns. 5 Bredas. multiple pompoms. &

Lewis. There are 4 ships sunk in the

harbour 3 cargo & 1 destroyer. Had 1

bottle of beer in morning spent 5/-

back in camp 6-15 P.M. *

22 FEBRUARY 1941

410 

Laying tests today! Hoping for best!

Dont have to sit. Those that are being

paid now do not have to sit half day.

today! Wrote to Judy Virtue! Canteen

came one bottle of beer for each man.

Leave postponed tomorrow! Swimming

parade to Bengasi also R.C. mass to

Bengasi cathedral! Rumor of practice

more tomorrow. Hope not! played

cards won 6/- Am doing alright

Have £4 in cash and am owed 15/-

B. Boxter 5/- K. May 10/-

23 FEBRUARY 1941

411

ER REGIMA

Had a good nights sleep last night. Slept

in until 7-45. No parades at all

today! Suits us. Just lay in bed all

day. Wrote letter to Trix wish I

could get some stamps! Must be 

moving this week early All letters must

be in to officers for censoring tonight

so that they leave Bty office by 9-30 AM

 

24 FEBRUARY 1941

412

Up at 7 A.M. I have to go to guns immediately

ALARM. practice move on. Back to

camp 8 A.M. breakfast 9. parade 10 A.M.

back to guns until lunch. Back again

after lunch. Am on kitchen fatigue

tonight & tomorrow. 2 men from Bty

to go on 4 days leave in Alexandria.

B.H.Q. supplied both. 2 parcels for me

1 from Margaret 1 from Mozanan & Gemma

25 FEBRUARY 1941

413

Reveile at 6-30 instead of 7. In the

kitchen all day. We move tomorrow

Where & for how long know one but

the nobs know. Why the secrecy?

Rumors run rife! Tripoli? South

150 miles where Ites have supposed to

have broken through? or back!?

Canteen arrove Beer on! 1 bottle.

 

26 FEBRUARY 1941

414

ON ROAD

Up at 6-30 A.M. Panic is on. Breakfast 7-30

We are going to relieve 2/3 Regiment

What the hell do they want relieving for.

We move out 9-45 pick up guns.

Stop between 12 & 1245 lunch!

Bivouac at Bedda Fomm for night

Tanks by the score. Dagos over 80 in

sight. And plenty of trucks. Bedded

down 8 P.M.

27 FEBRUARY 1941

415

ON ROAD

Had good sleep, no guard! up at 6-45. Moved off

about 9. On main road. Went through 

AGEDĂBIA. then turned south and ran

parallel with road. Stopped for several hours

until dusk then moved forward towards main

road. Have to do about 30 miles tonight.

Windy! Getting into sand now. Travelling all

night. Into position about 2 A.M. No

2/3 here!

 

28 FEBRUARY 1941

416

Plenty of digging. Sand luckily! Had no sleep.

'went to earth' at Sunrise, where we stop all

day. Rumor of having to move again tonight!

I dont think the boys could do it! Hell of a day.

Dusty! We are near MĂRSA EL BREGA

A marsh on our left main road on right!

Be out here about a fortnight! Breakfast 1230!

Tea at about 7-30 P.M. still very dusty.

Am on 1 until 2 A.M. Guard!

1 MARCH 1941

417

And so starts another month. It was

only a rumour, about moving! Go to

earth again! Breakfast 11 A.M. The

meals are very late! Had to boil

gun through and maintenance.

Dogs plane over 2 P.M. 3 engines

Savoia!? We are to dig an alternative

position tonight Forward or

Rear don't know. Not even the

B.C. knows what we are here 

for? or for how long or what we

have to do? 5^th & 7^th Battalions also

here. Each troop has an officer & Sgt

from 2/5^th Regiment Attached to us!

Prepare to move. Nos 1 & 2 guns only

we are No 2. We move back to 'ATP'

4 of 'A' guns have gone forward. we 2 make

it 4 guns, they are 4,000 yds back.

2 MARCH 1941

418

MARSA EL BREGA

We had no digging thank goodness! pits were

dug by 2/3. Have to go do subsection guard!

1¾ hours each. do nothing all day. Plane

over early. Bofors opened up but missed!

Had a scare when 8 planes came from every

direction but they were Hurricanes thank goodness

Sent 3 letters! TRIX. MARGO. B. VIRTUE. would

like same back. Rumor of beer tomorrow?

 

3 MARCH 1941

419

A wonderful morning. No wind. We are to have a

bath today! Perhaps! Wrote to Mr. Bennett

We are better off here than with our own TP!

They don't worry you at all. wrote to

Graham. Also sent both letters. Nine

Hurricanes flying around. Probably escort

to Lieut. General Wilson Governor of Lybia

who is making a visit. Wonderful tea!

Fried steak mashed spuds spinach. Rice.