April 1943

March 1943 saw 15 men of the 111 Fd Regt killed, and an unknown number injured. Following the Battle of the Mareth Line, the Eighth Army continued to push north towards Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. With the Allies also pushing from the west, the Germans and Italians were being corralled into a smaller and smaller area.

1st April 1943 – 308366
Day spent in maintenance and rest.
2nd April 1943 – North of Gabes
Lieutenant Colonel W. P. Hobbs MBE RA resumed command of 111 Fd Regt vice Lieutenant Colonel J. G. Hall MBE RA on the latter’s promotion to Brigadier CRA 50 Division.
3rd April 1943 – North of Gabes
2/Lt E. D. Roberts posted to Regt. A number of new vehicles arrived.
4th April 1943 – North of Gabes
10:30hrs – General B. L. Montgomery inspected the Regt and spoke to the men. A new draft arrived and also more new vehicles.
Also Lieutenant A. G. A. Owen arrived from hospital. 2/Lt Cassell, Lieutenant Idle and 2/Lt Lacey were posted.
Major W. H. Cheeseman arrived to assume command of 211 Fd Bty.
5th April 1943 – North of Gabes
14:00hrs – Regt moved off to rejoin 8 Armoured Brigade in area 2037

The Battle of Wadi Akarit
6th April 1943

Wadi Akarit lies on an east-west line, from the Mediterranean Sea in the east, and the impassable saltmarshes of Sebkret el Hamma to the west. Unlike the previous major battle at the Mareth Line, there was no possible way to flank the enemy, or no way to disperse the enemy by attacking at different points. In short, a full-frontal attack against prepared fortifications was unavoidable.

Three divisions were chosen for the initial assault, 4th Indian Division on the left, 51st (Highland) Division on the right, and 50th (Northumbrian) Division in the centre. Although allied units had reached Wadi Akarit around 30th March, they limited their activity to probing attacks whilst British and American bombers carried out a round-the-clock attacks on the defenders.

Rather than attacking from the low ground, the 4th Indian Division attacked a steep 800ft hill known as Jebel Fatnassa directly using infantry trained in mountain warfare. The Fatanassa feature was taken and the 4th 6th Rajputana Rifles advanced as far as the plain behind the hills nearly 5 miles beyond, taking 2,000 prisoners.

On the right, the 51st (Highland) Division attacked with the 152nd Brigade and seized the top of Djebel Roumana, then made a gap through the minefield and the anti tank ditch on the left flank. The 153rd and 154 brigades attacked the coastal defences and took 2,000 prisoners.

In the centre, the 50th (Northumbrian) Division met determined resistance from Italian marines, well dug in at Wadi Akarit and plentifully supplied with automatic weapons and grenades but the British pressed forward, despite high casualties among the 6th Battalion, Green Howards; two senior officers, six senior NCOs and junior officers and 118 other ranks were killed.

Despite several counter-attacks, as darkness fell, the Axis realised their positions had become untenable, the defenders having been severely depleted. With this in mind the Axis command ordered a retreat to the Enfidaville position, about 150 miles to the north.

By Military Army – http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/brochures/tunisia/p16(map).jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1970226
6th April 1943 – 2037
06:00hrs – Regt moved to west of OUDREF and formed up for advance.
15:30hrs – Regt came into action in area 130545 and engaged enemy guns and infantry. The enemy resistance was stubborn and no further advance was possible. At nightfall, Regt leaguered with Armoured Regts.
7th April 1943 – Z130545
08:00hrs – The enemy having withdrawn, the Regt advanced with objective CHEBKET EN NOUIGES (Z 19). Tanks and enemy guns were met in area 1879 and the Regt went into action in area Z0777.
17:30hrs – A tank battle started in area Z 08, which ended in the enemy’s withdrawal.
8th April 1943 – Z0777
05:45hrs – The enemy having withdrawn, the Regt advanced with objective CHEBKET EN NOUIGES (Z 19). Tanks and enemy guns were met in area 1879 and the Regt went into action in area Z0777.
08:15hrs – A tank battle started in area Z 08, which ended in the enemy’s withdrawal.
17:45hrs – 211 Bty moved forward with 8 Armoured Brigade in direction of RETBA (U 32).
Lieutenant Blyde injured and evacuated. Four men in 211 Bty killed and several wounded by armour piercing shot.

Military Medal awarded to
Gunner John (Joseph) Holt – 111 Fd Regt

“On the advance North, between Oudref and Triaga, on Thursday 8 April 1943, Gunner Holt was severely burnt about the face and hands when the gun tractor in which he was travelling was set on fire by shelling from enemy Armoured Fighting Vehicles, and subsequently evacuated to hospital as a result of his burns. When his tractor was fired by the enemy shell fire, in spite of his burns, he assisted Lieutenant Owen and Gunner Goodram to get one gun into action, which fired six rounds at the enemy tanks before they finally withdrew”.

9th April 1943 – U220550
05:30hrs – Remainder of Regt moved towards RETBA and advance continued beyond there.
10:50hrs – Regt eventually came into action in area U220550. There were numerous enemy tanks to the north and west and two “Brew-ups” were achieved. 8 Armoured Brigade engaged these tanks and the enemy withdrew.
18:00hrs – The Regt went into leagues in area U300540.
10th April 1943 – U300540
09:00hrs – Regt moved towards U770760.
13:55hrs – 211 Bty came into action at U760990, followed two days later by the other Btys.  Spasmodic firing at assorted targets took place.
17:00hrs – 212 Bty moved forward to support Staffordshire Yeomanry, but did not come to action.
11th April 1943 – U770760
06:00hrs – 212 Bty came into action at U746788.
14:00hrs – Regt moved forward on EL DJEM.
17:40hrs – Regt halted at U735855.
19:30hrs – Regt moved towards SOUSSE in rear of Nottinghamshire Yeomanry.
22:00hrs – Regt halted at P6317
12th April 1943 – P6317
08:00hrs – Regt advanced to MSAKEN and then north bypassing SOUSSE.
10:40hrs – 476 Bty came into action in area P5349. 211 and 212 Bty went through 476 into action in area P5254. There was intermittent shelling by both sides.
17:00hrs – Regt moved into action in area P5060 and remained there during the night.
13th April 1943 – P5060
07:15hrs – 211 Bty moved forward with 3 Royal Tank Regiment. Opposition was met in area 3578.
11:30hrs – Regt moved into area P3673, being deployed by 13:45hrs.
Enemy guns and MET were engaged as Regimental and Bty targets during the afternoon. Towards evening our infantry patrol line was well forward and the guns were out of range. The position was however met by spasmodic and inaccurate enemy gunfire.
Major M. F. Strutt and Sgt. F. Roberts and Gunner Howarth were awarded the Military Cross, Military Medal and Military Medal respectively for their work at METAMEUR on 6 March.
14th April 1943 – P3673
11:00hrs – One Troop from each Bty moved forward to square P3578 and carried out successful shoots in support of Staffordshire Yeomanry and Infantry who tried to take ENFIDAVILLE. They were heavily shelled by the enemy and twenty-one casualties were sustained, mainly by 212 Bty. During this and the previous few days there was a noticeable rise of enemy air activity. At last light O.P’s and forward troops returned to area P3673.

Military Medal awarded to
Serjeant Major Francis John Wheeler – 111 Fd Regt

““Throughout the campaign from El Alamein to Tunisia, B.S.M Wheeler has been a veritable power of strength to his Troop. Particularly on 14 April were his great quality is very much apparent.

On this day his troop was ordered up to a most exposed and forward position, five thousand yards short of Enfidaville. Throughout the day he kept up a constant supply of ammunition, having to run the gauntlet each time of a stretch of road which was under constant observation and shellfire.

In the late afternoon, when he was distributing ammunition to the guns on the position, the troop was heavily shelled, many casualties being caused. With great coolness and resource B.S.M Wheeler immediately arranged first aid treatment, got hold of an ambulance, and organised the speedy evacuation of the wounded.

He remained on the position for the remainder of the day, and did not leave it until he had evacuated every vehicle of the Troop, four out of the six quads having been put out of action by enemy shell fire. By his coolness, quick thinking, and initiative at a very difficult time, B.S.M Wheeler was responsible for the maintenance of the high morale of his men.”.

15th April 1943 – P3673
The Regt remained in area P3673 and was not in action.
16th April 1943 – P3673
09:15hrs – The Regt moved to rest area P3571. Some additional vehicles were received and preparations were made for the forthcoming attack by 10 Corps.
19th April 1943 – P3571
18:00hrs – Regt HQ established in battle position at P288740. Btys deployed in area P2978.  Barrage in support of 5 NZ Brigade started at 23:00hrs.

Takrouna

On 19th April New Zealand forces prepared for an assault on Takrouna, then held by the Italian Paratroopers of the Folgore Battalion, elements of the Italian 66th regiment and one German platoon.

At dawn on 20th April, Lance-sergeant Haane Te Rauawa Manahi led a platoon on an attack up the hill, and successfully overran the Italian defences. Manahi then left to locate reinforcements, returning with a section of C Company and another platoon, successfully resisting an Axis counterattack. Manahi and his section descended from the hill, but despite the reinforcements the New Zealand forces lost the hill to a second Axis counterattack on 21st April. Manahi returned in the afternoon and, with artillery support, retook first the ledge and then the village on the summit, taking 300 prisoners.

Painting of Takrouna signed “R. Idle – 25/4/44” that Major Winterbottom had with other memorabilia.
20th April 1943 – P288740
01:46hrs – Barrage completed.
08:05hrs – Report received that objective partially taken and ENFIDAVILLE clear.
09:00hrs – Btys commenced to leap frog up to Square 3284. HQ bringing up the rear at 12:00hrs. During the afternoon the Regt area was shelled and bombed without there being any casualties. One O.P. tank was hit by shellfire and two other O.P. trucks went up on mines, a few minor casualties. The Regt fired concentrations on enemy Mechanised Enemy Transports and Infantry.

Distinguished Service Order awarded to
Lieutenant Austin Lodge McTiffin – 111 Fd Regt

“On the morning of 20 April 1943 Lieutenant McTiffin climbed the steep size of the Takrouna feature, when the position there was still very uncertain, and established an O.P at the southern end of the village, the northern end still being enemy hands.

During the course of the morning the southern end of the village was subjected to much heavy mortar and artillery fire, causing heavy casualties amongst the Maories who were holding it. Lieutenant McTiffin organised first aid for the wounded, collecting them all into one building, and arranged sentries in the village for further defence of the feature. For this purpose he only had 8 Maories at his disposal, and not an N.C.O amongst them.

Meanwhile, he had laid a telephone line at the side of the feature and kept higher formations in touch with the situation throughout. Reinforcements were called for, but none were immediately available, and during all this time Lieutenant McTiffin could see 200 of the enemy on the northwest side of the feature, apparently forming up into a counter-attack.

Throughout the day he remained in his post, maintaining the morale of the Maories, despite incessant mortar and artillery fire and at one point, an attack with hand grenades. To counter these threats, he had only the 8 Maories and his O.P signaller armed with rifles, and himself with a revolver, the enemy being tucked away in such a position that they could not be touched by our own artillery fire.

Lieutenant McTiffin still remained in his post and continue to get back information. When dusk came, he was ordered to return to his Battery. By that time he had spent 12 hours on Takrouna, having assumed command of a handful of troops and with them denied to numerically far superior force, a most important feature. His conduct was beyond all praise.”

Military Medal awarded to
Gunner Victor O’Neill – 111 Fd Regt

“Throughout the day off 20 April 1943, Gunner O’Neill showed courage and coolness to the highest order whilst in occupation of the Takrouna feature. As O.P signaller to Lieutenant AL McTiffin RA he maintained the telephone line up the steep side of the feature when it was under constant enemy mortar fire.

Later, from the enemy mortars had taken heavy toll of the defending Maories, the armed himself with a rifle from one of the dead and prepared to assist in the defence of the hill if the threatened attack materialised.

He assisted in the application of first aid to the wounded and voluntarily returned to the foot of the feature when it was being subjected to enemy mortar fire in order to bring up water to ease their suffering.

After being forced to evacuate the O.P at one point through heavy motoring, he returned to it shortly afterwards and helped retrieve the telephone and wire, and to re-establish the O.P in another position.

Gunner O’Neill’s constant coolness and steadfastness under almost continuous enemy fire did much to strengthen the position of Takrouna at a time when it was none too certain.””

21st April 1943 – P321846
A day  of great Arty on both sides. The Regt fired numerous concentrations on enemy infantry and guns. Some of these were in support of an attack by Staffordshire Yeomanry on the TAKROUNA FEATURE. None of the enemy concentrations fell on the Regt and only a stray round landed near the guns. No casualties were caused thereby. However, 212 Bty had one premature which killed one man and injured one or two others. At 18:00hrs the TAKROUNA FEATURE was finally cleared, some 300 P.o.W’s being taken. O.P’s were withdrawn at last light.
22nd April 1943 – P321846
Much artillery action on both sides. Numerous concentrations were fired by the Regt. Several enemy concentrations landed in the Regimental area, one in 211 Bty at 11:30hrs causing the death of Lieutenant C. R. Harris and two in 212 Bty between 16:40hrs and 17:10hrs caused two minor casualties, “brewed-up” two tractors and damaged other vehicles. As a result, 212 Bty moved one Troop forward. It was however found impossible to move the Regt as a whole, because most other available positions were already occupied.
23rd April 1943 – P321846
08:45hrs – O.P’s reported that enemy guns had withdrawn. Activity was therefore on a greatly reduced scale.
14:45hrs – A small scale enemy advance was dispersed by gun fire.
22:00hrs – NZ Division moved forward to the next ridge without meeting opposition in force.
24th April 1943 – P321846
10:05hrs – Enemy infiltration was stopped by heavy Arty concentrations. Many Regimental targets were engaged during the day.
25th April 1943 – P321846
09:35 – Regt fired on enemy mortars which were concentrating on TAKROUNA. NZ Division moved forward to TERHOUNA FEATURE with 3 Royal Tank Regiment in support.
26th April 1943 – P321846
Many “STONKS” on hostile Btys. Lieutenant J. W. Simmonds killed by direct hit.
27th April 1943 – P321846
Spasmodic shelling and mortar fire throughout the day. 400 Rounds Per Gun were dumped in good positions. The system of having on battery resting was instituted.
28th April 1943 – P321846
Regt in support of 152 Brigade, 51 Highland Division for the day.
General attack (“Cholera”) in whole front postponed for 24hrs. Arty duels throughout the day.
29th April 1943 – P321846
09:30hrs – 56 Division took away front from NZ Division.
10:00hrs – Regt fired on 6 D.F. tasks. Counter-attacks by enemy caused 56 Division to withdraw and Regt called in to support this Division.
16:55hrs – 4 Indian Division ordered to stand to. “Cholera” postponed indefinitely.
During evening 56 Division thickened up and re-organised. Liaison Officer sent to 11 Fd Regt, 4 Indian Division.
30th April 1943 – P321846
Lieutenant R. V. Seddon R.A. and Lieutenant J. W. Nicholls evacuated through illness.
15:00hrs – Regt fired 112 Rounds Per Gun on counter-battery programme.
19:45hrs – 211 Bty R.A. went out for three days rest.