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31/10/1939
0800 Preparations of positions continued.
1800 JUVIGNY - 3 guns ready for action. Ammunition on site 600 rounds HE. 144 rounds shrapnel.
AUBERIVE - 1 gun ready for action. Ammunition on site 400 rounds HE. 96 rounds shrapnel.
Friday, 31 October 2014
Thursday, 30 October 2014
30 October 1939
The 157th HAA Battery diary records the following for 30 October 1939:
Villers-Marmery 30/10/1939
0800 Preparation of site at JUVIGNY continued. Right Half Battery complete with guns, stores etc moved from billets in EPERNAY to billets inVAUDESIMCOURT. First convoy left EPERNAY 0900 hours arrived VAUDESIMCOURT 1115 hrs. Second convoy arrived VAUDESIMCOURT 1145 hrs.
1300 Four guns on site at AUBERIVE Map ref. T59 74. Preparatioon of position in progress. Ammunition on site 200 rounds HE 48 rounds shrapnel. Two guns ready for action at JUVIGNY (as above for ammunition).
The diary of the Headquarters of 12th Anit Aircraft Brigade recorded the following for the days 25 to 31 October 1939:
Wet weather and lack of towing vehicles slowed preparation particularly in 53rd area. Not ready until 1/11/39.
The 53rd HAA Regiment formed part of the 12th AA Brigade.
Villers-Marmery 30/10/1939
0800 Preparation of site at JUVIGNY continued. Right Half Battery complete with guns, stores etc moved from billets in EPERNAY to billets inVAUDESIMCOURT. First convoy left EPERNAY 0900 hours arrived VAUDESIMCOURT 1115 hrs. Second convoy arrived VAUDESIMCOURT 1145 hrs.
1300 Four guns on site at AUBERIVE Map ref. T59 74. Preparatioon of position in progress. Ammunition on site 200 rounds HE 48 rounds shrapnel. Two guns ready for action at JUVIGNY (as above for ammunition).
The diary of the Headquarters of 12th Anit Aircraft Brigade recorded the following for the days 25 to 31 October 1939:
Wet weather and lack of towing vehicles slowed preparation particularly in 53rd area. Not ready until 1/11/39.
The 53rd HAA Regiment formed part of the 12th AA Brigade.
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
29 October 1939
The entry in the Battery Diary for 29 October 1939 is as follows:
Villers-Marmery 29/10/1939 0800 Preparing of site at JUVIGNY for guns. Map ret. T46 53. More orders for Right Half Battery issued. Move to commence 0900 hours 30/10/39.
I have never been able to find the map that matches these map references so if anyone know, please let me know.
Villers-Marmery 29/10/1939 0800 Preparing of site at JUVIGNY for guns. Map ret. T46 53. More orders for Right Half Battery issued. Move to commence 0900 hours 30/10/39.
I have never been able to find the map that matches these map references so if anyone know, please let me know.
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
28 October 1939
Frank finished the letter he started on 27 October 1939 on 28 October 1939. he provides some insights in to daily life and work in France for a British soldier in 1939. I posted his letter on my blog in 2009 so scroll down to find it.
The 157th HAA Battery Diary records the following:
Villers-Marmery 28/10/1939 0800 Position at AIGNY abandoned and position at JUVIGNY which is east of V.P. in course of preparation. Billets in VAUDESINCOURT inspected and arrangements made to take them over from French Air Force a.m. 30/10/39 - Billets here very good - Billets in AIGNY empty houses and barns - fair. Impossible to move to billets in JUVIGNY as whole village occupied by French troops.
The 53rd HAA Regiment was well away from the rest of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) which was further north in France. The Regiment was assigned to protect the airfields of the Advanced Air Striking Force which were located around Reims, hence they had greater interaction with French soldiers.
The 157th HAA Battery Diary records the following:
Villers-Marmery 28/10/1939 0800 Position at AIGNY abandoned and position at JUVIGNY which is east of V.P. in course of preparation. Billets in VAUDESINCOURT inspected and arrangements made to take them over from French Air Force a.m. 30/10/39 - Billets here very good - Billets in AIGNY empty houses and barns - fair. Impossible to move to billets in JUVIGNY as whole village occupied by French troops.
The 53rd HAA Regiment was well away from the rest of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) which was further north in France. The Regiment was assigned to protect the airfields of the Advanced Air Striking Force which were located around Reims, hence they had greater interaction with French soldiers.
Monday, 27 October 2014
27 October 1939 - Frank writes home
On the day that Frank starts a letter home, the Battery Diary records the following:
27/10/1939 0800 DISPOSITION OF BATTERY - unchanged. Fresh positions at JUVINGY and AUBERIVE reconnoitered and selected by Battery Commander.
Read Frank's letter which I posted on the blog in 2009. Follow the links on the left hand side of the page.
27/10/1939 0800 DISPOSITION OF BATTERY - unchanged. Fresh positions at JUVINGY and AUBERIVE reconnoitered and selected by Battery Commander.
Read Frank's letter which I posted on the blog in 2009. Follow the links on the left hand side of the page.
Sunday, 26 October 2014
26 October 1939
Battery Diary entry for 26 October 1939:
26/10/1939 0800 DISPOSITION OF BATTERY - unchanged. Preparation of position commenced at AIGNY.
26/10/1939 0800 DISPOSITION OF BATTERY - unchanged. Preparation of position commenced at AIGNY.
Saturday, 25 October 2014
Cooking Utensils for the Battery Left in the UK
The Battery HQ is now based in Villers-Marmery and so that is where the Battery diary is written. The entry for 25 October 1939 gives the details of the Battery disposition around the various airfields used by the AASF. I have been to each of these villages and there is no sign of the presence of airfields which must have been basic and temporary and as their name suggests, used grass run ways in fields.
Villers-Marmery 25/10/1939 0800 DISPOSITION OF BATTERY - four guns on site AIGNY - One troop in billets in AIGNY - One troop in billets in EPERNAY. B>H>Q> in VILLERS-MARMERY. It is palced on record that the Battery was ordered to leave all stores behind when leaving BRAMLEY consequently throughout the period 8/10/39 to date no cooking utnesils have been in the possession of the Battery resulting in inadequate feeding of the men. Cooking utensils are still not available. Cooking arrangements "en route" have been difficult and on many occasions NIL. There have been no complaints as troops have been able to supplement rations at their own expense.
Villers-Marmery 25/10/1939 0800 DISPOSITION OF BATTERY - four guns on site AIGNY - One troop in billets in AIGNY - One troop in billets in EPERNAY. B>H>Q> in VILLERS-MARMERY. It is palced on record that the Battery was ordered to leave all stores behind when leaving BRAMLEY consequently throughout the period 8/10/39 to date no cooking utnesils have been in the possession of the Battery resulting in inadequate feeding of the men. Cooking utensils are still not available. Cooking arrangements "en route" have been difficult and on many occasions NIL. There have been no complaints as troops have been able to supplement rations at their own expense.
Friday, 24 October 2014
Battery HQ Deployed to Villers-Marmery
The Battery Diary records the following for 24 October 1939:
24/10/1939 0900 Four guns deployed to AIGNY
1300 One troop couple to be deployed to AIGNY - placed in billets. Battery H.Q. deployed to VILLERS-MARMERY
The diary entry confirms that after 2 days in Epernay Frank, who was part of the Battery HQ moved to the village Villers-Marmery.
24/10/1939 0900 Four guns deployed to AIGNY
1300 One troop couple to be deployed to AIGNY - placed in billets. Battery H.Q. deployed to VILLERS-MARMERY
The diary entry confirms that after 2 days in Epernay Frank, who was part of the Battery HQ moved to the village Villers-Marmery.
Thursday, 23 October 2014
Epernay, France
Frank's letter of 23 October 1939 was written in billets in Epernay. The letter was censored but the Battery diary identified the location.
Epernay 23/10/1939 0800 All ranks in billets in EPERNAY - positions reconnoitered by O.C. Billeting arranged at AIGNY.
Epernay 23/10/1939 0800 All ranks in billets in EPERNAY - positions reconnoitered by O.C. Billeting arranged at AIGNY.
Wednesday, 22 October 2014
The 157th HAA Battery arrives in Epernay
The Battery diary entry for 22 October 1939 says:
22/10/1939
0800 Personnel Party still on train.
1730 Main Body arrived EPERNAY - taken to billets. Mao PARIS - REIMS SHEET No.8.
22/10/1939
0800 Personnel Party still on train.
1730 Main Body arrived EPERNAY - taken to billets. Mao PARIS - REIMS SHEET No.8.
Tuesday, 21 October 2014
The Battery Take the Slow Train to Epernay
Battery diary of the 157th HAA Battery records the following for 21 October 1939:
21/10/1939 0800 Remainder of the Battery personnel moved to Gare Maritime Station to entrain and join vehicle party.
From what I can tell from the letters from Frank he was on this train as his letter of 23 October 1939 refers to spending the night on the train and the Battery arrived in Epernay on 22 October 1939.
21/10/1939 0800 Remainder of the Battery personnel moved to Gare Maritime Station to entrain and join vehicle party.
From what I can tell from the letters from Frank he was on this train as his letter of 23 October 1939 refers to spending the night on the train and the Battery arrived in Epernay on 22 October 1939.
Monday, 20 October 2014
The move out starts.
The 157th HAA Battery records the following for 20 October 1939:
20/10/1939 0600 Vehicle train with guns, loaded at Hamet Station, moved off at 1256hrs. drivers and personnel totaling O.C. 3 officers and 175 O/Rs moved on this train.
Not sure where Hamet Station is, so if you do, please can you let me know?
20/10/1939 0600 Vehicle train with guns, loaded at Hamet Station, moved off at 1256hrs. drivers and personnel totaling O.C. 3 officers and 175 O/Rs moved on this train.
Not sure where Hamet Station is, so if you do, please can you let me know?
Sunday, 19 October 2014
19 October 1939
The Battery diary records:
19/10/1939 0800 Battery still in rest billets preparing to move guns and transport.
Frank also wrote a letter on this day which can be found in the blog.
19/10/1939 0800 Battery still in rest billets preparing to move guns and transport.
Frank also wrote a letter on this day which can be found in the blog.
Saturday, 18 October 2014
Preparing to Move Out
The 157th Battery records the following:
18/10/1939 0800 Battery still in rest billets.
1400 Billeting party - one officer with driver and one man - sent forward.
The 53rd HAA regiment records the following:
Adjutant of 53rd Regiment with one officer from each Battery (157 - 158 - 159) and 7 O/Rs leave at 1415 to report at A.A.S.F. HQ at Reims driving in 4 cars. Weather still cold and showery.
Transport ready to be loaded on Transport train.
The AASF is the Advanced Air Striking Force which was based in the Champagne Region of France. The 53rd HAA was the anti aircraft protection for the airfields.
18/10/1939 0800 Battery still in rest billets.
1400 Billeting party - one officer with driver and one man - sent forward.
The 53rd HAA regiment records the following:
Adjutant of 53rd Regiment with one officer from each Battery (157 - 158 - 159) and 7 O/Rs leave at 1415 to report at A.A.S.F. HQ at Reims driving in 4 cars. Weather still cold and showery.
Transport ready to be loaded on Transport train.
The AASF is the Advanced Air Striking Force which was based in the Champagne Region of France. The 53rd HAA was the anti aircraft protection for the airfields.
Friday, 17 October 2014
The 157th HAA Battery Diary reports:
17/10/1939 0800 Battery in rest billets. Regimental transport and guns in process of being unloaded from ship at Gare Maritime Quay, Cherbourg.
The 53rd HAA Regimental Diary reports:
17/10/1939 Unloading of Transport Vehicles from "Achilles" commences in charge of advance party and 2 Officers. Vehicles to be lined up on Car Park near the docks and guard mounted. Weather cold and inclined to rain. Wind E.
17/10/1939 0800 Battery in rest billets. Regimental transport and guns in process of being unloaded from ship at Gare Maritime Quay, Cherbourg.
The 53rd HAA Regimental Diary reports:
17/10/1939 Unloading of Transport Vehicles from "Achilles" commences in charge of advance party and 2 Officers. Vehicles to be lined up on Car Park near the docks and guard mounted. Weather cold and inclined to rain. Wind E.
Thursday, 16 October 2014
The Battery Arrives in France
Battery Diary entry for 16 October 1939 announces the arrival of the Battery in France. Sideville, where they are billeted, is just south of Cherbourg.
1030 Main Body disembarked at Cherbourg and joined on the quay by Advance Party.
1500 Complete Battery less unloading parties fro transport, guns etc. marched to occupy billets in Sideville district.
1030 Main Body disembarked at Cherbourg and joined on the quay by Advance Party.
1500 Complete Battery less unloading parties fro transport, guns etc. marched to occupy billets in Sideville district.
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