Diary of George William Edward Clark, January 1941 - September 1942 - Part 2
JANUARY -1941
385
28 TUESDAY
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 5.9in
armor piercing shells. Supposed to be
reserves on way. Sooner the better we
think. A few close ones today!
386
29 WEDNESDAY
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 relieve Derna
We could have some Naval and air cooperation
and finish this place off.
1941- DERNA JANUARY
Terrific shelling last night until 1-15 AM.
387
30 THURSDAY
Several big fires in DERNA. by the glare in
the sky. Infantry in the streets. ours!
Dagoes have retreated & mined the
road. I suppose we will now move
after all x 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!
388
31 FRIDAY
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 in 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!
FEBRUARY -1941
389
1 February SATURDAY
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 fort that
we were firing on yesterday. It's rather a xxx
mess. Several direct hits.
1941- FEBRUARY
ON ROAD TO
BENGASI.
390
2 SUNDAY
Fired 32 shots this morning registering
one target!! Moved off again at 1P.M.
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.
391
3 MONDAY
Had a fair sleep last night, not so cold this A.M.
overcast, like rain. Moved on at 8 P.M. and
dispersed off the road 35 K.M. 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.
FEBRUARY -1941
392
4 TUESDAY
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. Rumors 'Ite' left Bengasi
I got 2 Ite ground sheets out of captured truck.
393
5 WEDNESDAY
Moved out early and took up position with one
other gun along the road. Had breakfast. Then
went forward with rest of Bty. 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.
1941- ON ROAD FEBRUARY
394
6 THURSDAY
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 Borracca are 1,000 feet above sea.
395
7 FRIDAY
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. Rumors
are flying! Tripoli fallen! fighting finished in
Lybia! Tons of equipment captured. We
bivouac for night here.
FEBRUARY -1941
396
TOCRA
8 SATURDAY
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.
1941- BENINA FEBRUARY
397
9 SUNDAY
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 air-drome.
in afternoon! Raining. Huge airdrome. Many
planes on ground. Sleeping in large barrack room
one room for Troop. Don't know how long for!
398
10 MONDAY
Had good nights sleep last night. Maintenance in
morning. A fine day, a light breeze. Everything
drying up, thank goodness. Rumors 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.
FEBRUARY -1941
399
11 TUESDAY
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
400
12 WEDNESDAY
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.
1941- BENINA AIRDROME FEBRUARY
Celebrated Margarets birthday
401
13 THURSDAY
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.
402
14 FRIDAY
MARGO'S Birthday!
26?
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.
Rumors of us going back & 7th Div taking over!
maybe. Wagon lines are in Ammo. Dumps
FEBRUARY ER REGIMA -1941
403
15 SATURDAY
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 choclates 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.
1941- ER REGIMA FEBRUARY
404
16 SUNDAY
Up at 7-30. breakfast 8. parade 9 A.M.
issue of clothing got new uniform! much
better cut & fit & material. issue of beer
one bottle per man. Aussie beer! beautiful!!!
also 3 choclates (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 MONDAY
405
Heavy bombing this morning! The concussion
shook the steel shutters of room. Hell of row.
Lectures & 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
Nance. Rumors of recall to AUST. Japan
very close to declaring war.
FEBRUARY -1941
406
18 TUESDAY
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 1st March! Hope it is true. This
Bty runner is bludge. R.H.G sent up
canteen this afternoon but only for
2nd Bty. ours tomorrow. Mail!
3 for me Mum Moya & Judy Virtue.
L. to Bede
407
19 WEDNESDAY
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 per day. issue of cigs. 2 razor blads.
have £20 in pay book also £2-10-0 in cash
wrote to lennie
1941- ER REGIMA FEBRUARY
408
20 THURSDAY
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.
409
21 FRIDAY
Went on leave to Bengasi. All dressed up
in new uniform & boots. Quite warm.
Had a look at HMS. TERROR. 6-4 in A.A.
2-15in guns. 5 Bredas. multiple pomspoms. &
Lewis. There are four 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.*
FEBRUARY -1941
410
22 SATURDAY
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
move tomorrow. Hope not! played
cards won 6/- Am doing alright
Have £4 in cash and am owed 15/-
B. Boxter 5/- K. May 10/-.
1941- ER REGIMA FEBRUARY
411
23 SUNDAY
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.
412
24 MONDAY
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
FEBRUARY -1941
413
25 TUESDAY
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.
ON ROAD
414
26 WEDNESDAY
Up at 6-30 AM. 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 Fom for night
Tanks by the score. Dagos over 80 in
sight. And plenty of trucks. Bedded
down 8 P.M.
1941- ON ROAD FEBRUARY
415
27 THURSDAY
Had good sleep, no guard! up at 6-45. Moved off
about 9. On main road. Went through
AGEDÁBIA. 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!
416
28 FRIDAY
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 MÁRSA EL BRÉGA
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!
MARCH -1941
417
1 March SATURDAY
And so starts another month. It was
only a rumor, 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? 5th & 7th Battalions also
here. Each troop has an officer & Sgt
from 2/5th 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.
1941- MARSA EL BREGA MARCH
418
2 SUNDAY
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?
419
3 MONDAY
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.
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