March 1944
March 1943, 111 Fd Regt were still in their static positions between Guardiagrele and Orsogna in support of the 8th Indian Division. The war diary states that the weather for the first 2 weeks of the month was “cold and wet”, later becoming more “seasonable”.
| 1st March 1944 – East of Guardiagrele |
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| Regt still in action in the positions occupied on 5 December 1943 in support of 8 Indian Division and under command of 13 Corps. Bty Commander Arty Rep with HQ 6/13 Battalion RFF Regt (19 Indian Brigade) and OP from 476 Bty. Troop Commander from 211 Bty in O.P. on Bianco 2196 in support of 4 Para Battalion manning O.P. in daylights and at Forward Company HQ at night. Regimental night O.P. manned from dusk til dawn at 254980. Flying O.P. in support from B Flight 651 A.O.P. Squadron. Regt engaged in daily H.F. programmes and observed fire. |
| 4th March 1944 – East of Guardiagrele |
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| Lieutenant W. H. H. Bayne and 4 O.R.s evacuated and one O.R. killed when enemy 150mm shell hit power house in which A Troop command post (was stationed). |
| 5th March 1944 – East of Guardiagrele |
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| Useful information about enemy received from civilian refugees. Enemy 150mm scored 12 direct hits on house of O.P. 476 Bty. No casualties. |
| 7th March 1944 – East of Guardiagrele |
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| Lieutenant W. M. Dishley returned from hospital. Lieutenant S. Swain RCS evacuated sick. |
| 7th January 1944 – East of Guardigrele |
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| Lieutenant-Colonel J. S. Elliot MC RA – C.O. and Lieutenant T. P Allen Regimental Survey Officer rejoined unit on return from mission to Cassion to report on conditions there. |
| 8th March 1944 – East of Guardiagrele |
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| 8 Indian Division inter-Brigade reliefs completed. Regt now supporting 1/5 Royal Gurkha Rifles (17 Indian Division) on right and 5 Para Brigade on left. |
| 11th March 1944 – East of Guardiagrele |
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| Location of enemy Company HQ indicated to O.P. on Bianco by civilians resultant shelling produced deserters from 756 Regt who gave more detailed information of locations. |
| 16th March 1944 – East of Guardiagrele |
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| Further inter-Brigade reliefs 1/5 Battalion Royal West Kent succeeding 1/5 Royal Gurkha Rifles in Regt’s sector. |
| 17th March 1944 – East of Guardiagrele |
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| Regimental Harassing Fire directed on COMMINO where civilians reported reinforcements training and 40 casualties. |
| 19th March 1944 – East of Guardiagrele |
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| Special O.P. sent out to CAPRAFICO feature 1894 to observe into area of FILETTO where much enemy movement was observed and engaged. W/Lt J. L. Browne and 2/Lt C. C. Cole joined. |
| 22nd March 1944 – East of Guardiagrele |
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| Enemy diggings engaged successfully with Fuze 222. Captain E. G. Walker evacuated sick. |
| 24th March 1944 – East of Guardiagrele |
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| Major C. H. A. Barnes assumed command during absence of Lieutenant-Colonel J. S. Elliot MCRA. Captain D. C. MacKechan left to join Gunnery Staff Course at Larkhill. |
| 26th March 1944 – East of Guardiagrele |
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| Daily ammunition expenditure reduced to 15 rounds per gun per day. |
| 29th March 1944 – East of Guardiagrele |
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| Major C. H. A. Barnes evacuated to hospital. |
| 30th – 31st March 1944 – East of Guardiagrele |
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| Enemy artillery rather more active during the past week. Apart from Arty, extremely inactive during daylight and no movement observed from O.P’s. Fairly active local patrols by night. |