November 1944
By the start of November 1944, 111 Fd Regt were on mainland Yugoslavia, in what is now modern-day Croatia and Montenegro. The breath-taking mountainous scenery and coastal inlets was to be provide the backdrop for fierce battles to prevent the German garrisons from retreating further inland.
“Next day at nine-twenty we sailed easterly, passed Brindisi at 16.30 and were there joined by our escort, 1 destroyer L43 (HMS Blackmore). We were given all the dope on our latest job – we were going to Albania to sort out some Gerries trying to get away from Corfu. We went to bed that night feeling quite excited. Upon awakening, we saw the barren coastline of Albania, drizzling it was at the time, 6. a.m.
There is no thrill quite like sailing in close in barges and not knowing which cliff or hill isn’t filled with the enemy and when a dozen guns are going to open up on you. Our destroyer took the lead with her gun crews standing too. However, we got in safely and landed on a sandy beach, which no one could confirm as being free from mines, we got off that as quickly as possible and at ten a.m. the recce parties were off. B.C. and H. went, I clinging grimly onto the trailer, we passed through a small village Lukova and were there greeted by the populace some forty individuals with clapping and flung flowers. They were obviously very pleased to see us.
The houses were much more poorly built than anywhere I have seen, merely hovels and the people all looked quite ill. We found some gun positions near a small village called Shen Vasil, ordered up the guns and found ourselves a house in the village for command post.”
Diary entry from 27th September 1944 from Sgt Observer Frederick Sidney Williams, 212 Bty, 111 Fd Regt in his family’s memoirs “Our Fred’s War”.
| 1st November 1944 – Dubrovnik |
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| The Germans found to be holding the town of RISAN (A8544) and commanding the approach from the North from positions in Austrian forts on hilltops at GRKOVAC, GOLI VRH, LEDENICE, Pt 664,Pt 1308 etc. |
| 12:00hrs – A Troop, 211 Bty departed from GRUZ to join B troop and Bty HQ with Spadeforce. A Troop commander Captain A. L. McTiffin DSO has been commander of 111 Fd Regt rear details in Italy owing to a broken wrist sustained in September. Lieutenant A. A. G. Owen MC commanded A Troop in his absence, and Lieutenant J. K. D. Lacey became C.P.O. |
| 14:00hrs – Colonel JAGO made further recce for OP’s for defence of Dubrovnik. Reports of large enemy columns moving towards PODGORICA indicated the likelihood of the Germans attempting a breakthrough to NIKSIC. Therefore, Col JAGO despatched Major E. M. Winterbottom RA (476 Bty) to recce area NIKSIC and the road south for gun positions, OP’s etc. |
| 2nd November 1944 – Dubrovnik |
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| Major W. H. Cheesman RA (Second-in-Command) recce’d gun positions Dubrovnik area and indicated them to Survey and Signals officers. Survey of gun positions and datum points began. (Since joining Force 266 and Land Forces Adriatic where meteorological facilities have not been available, the Regiment has made it a possibility whenever possible to survey in-datum points on the same grid as the guns for deduction). |
| 17:00hrs – Floydforce Operational Instruction No.1 issued by Colonel JAGO |
| 18:00hrs – Brigadier DAVY (Commander of LFA – Land Forces Adriatic), and Lieutenant-Colonel Milbank (A+Q LRA, suffering from a severe cold) having returned from a tour of the battle area dined with RHQ. |
| 19:00hrs – 211 Bty fired arty preparation on RISAN in support of Partisan attack. Attack went in after considerable delay and Partisans occupied part of town and took a few prisoners. |
| 3rd November 1944 – Dubrovnik |
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| 09:00hrs – Colonel Jago and Major Cheesman went to recce TREBINJE area in accordance with Operational Instruction No. 1. A Troop 211 Bty OP at 844459. Fire with HE from 25 pdrs not very effective against the Austrian forts (the walls of which were later found to be 5 – 6 feet thick) and one “pistol” gun sent forward to 828482 to engage LEDENICE Fort through open sights at approximately 3,000 x range using Armour Piercing ammunition – many direct hits scored. Urgent demands send off for more AP ammunition (first line holding being only 12 rounds per gun). 211 Bty engaged and silenced two enemy 75mms in RISAN. 1 German Officer and 3 Other Ranks deserted to Partisans, who quickly whisked the Officer away to HQ 2 Dalmatian Brigade. Deserters indicate that the Germans will not surrender to the Partisans because of their reputed treatment of PoW’s. Therefore Major Turner sent a note to the German Garrison Commander by a Partisan and the German OR deserters saying that there were British Troops and that they would accept surrender – ultimatum expiring 15:00hrs 4th November. |
| 4th November 1944 – Dubrovnik |
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| Captain EARLE (British Military Mission Officer with MATTHEW) sent to try and locate German Officer deserter taken to 2 Brigade HQ – but informed by Partisans that “he had committed suicide”. |
| 15:00hrs – Surrender ultimatum expired and 211 Bty guns opened fire on RISAN, catching many Germans out in the open taking advantage of the lull. |
| 15:15hrs – Enemy IoS fired six rounds counter-battery fire, one round of which landed in area of Troop Command Post, killing one signaller, GNR BOWDEN and wounding two others. “Spadeforce” now renamed “MATTHEW” by Commander of Floydforce so that any subsequent forces could be “MARK, LUKE and JOHN”. Partisan “mighty” attack on RISAN not successful. Still not possible to persuade them to attack immediately after arty preparation. Major Turner considers that “one British Infantry company could capture RISAN in half and hour”. |
| 6th November 1944 – Dubrovnik |
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| Colonel JAGO and Adjutant visited MATTHEW and spent day in Major TURNER’s OP and had conference with Second-in-Command Dalmatian Brigade. |
| 19:00hrs – Partisans attacked and captured Point 577 and GOLI VRH with arty support. Captain Whyte commander 11/12 Troop RSR returned from recce of gun positions south of NIKSIC. |
| 7th November 1944 – Dubrovnik |
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| Partisans in DUBROVNIK celebrated the anniversary of the Russian Revolution. Allied parade in which a detachment of 111 Fd Regt led by J. W. Nicholls RA (476 Bty) and 43 (RM) Commando marched with Partisans from GRUZ to the old walled town of Dubrovnik. Civilian onlookers cheered as British troops marched past but watched the Partisans in strong silence. Major TURNER visited Pt 577 captured yesterday with a view to taking 25 Pdr gun there to destroy fort on Pt 664 – received Sitrep from Colonel JAGO. |
| 18:00hrs – Colonel Jago and adjutant returned to RHQ. |
| 19:00hrs – Regimental party attended Partisan Celebration Concert at DUBROVNIK. Partisans attacked and captured Pt 802. |
| 9th November 1944 – Dubrovnik |
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| Information received of 4000 enemy moving from MOSTAR East to NEVESINJE towards Partisan-held KIFINO-SELO. Considered that intention might possibly be to move South through BILECA-VILUSE to assist the German breakthrough from RISAN or NIKSIC. Brigadier formed new force “FORSYTH” consisting of E Troop and HQ 476 Bty and one flight of RAF Regt with 3 armoured cars and one anti-tank gun (6 Pdr) – Force Commander Flt/Lt HAYES. Also ordered A Troop 211 Bty to move from MATTHEW to join FORSYTH. MATTHEW renamed FINNEY (LFA having sent official code names) at BILECA. Major CHEESMAN to command the composite Bty, Major Winterbottom (476 Bty) being indisposed. |
| 12:00hrs – Owing to bad weather, all bombing arrangements cancelled. |
| 13:30hrs – Troop 43 (RM) Commando ordered to join FORSYTH at BILECA to patrol to PLANA to give early warning of any enemy advance from the North. |
| 14:30hrs – Information from 211 Bty that the “sniping” gun had had further success, having breached the wall of OBERGRKOVAC fort enabling Partisans to capture the fort – the attack now directed on GRKOVAC. |
| 10th November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| 07:00hrs – Colonel JAGO and Lieutenant ALLEN (Survey Officer) left Dubrovnik for TREBINJE to find accommodation for Regimental HQ 476 Bty less F Troop moved from BILECA. |
| 11:30hrs – Regimental HQ moved from Dubrovnik to TREBINJE. |
| 14:00hrs – HQ established in USTACHI barracked. TREBINJE |
| 11th November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| Intelligence received states majority of (German) 21 Mountain Corp now around area PODGORICA – considerable movement towards DANILOVGRAD. “Land Forces Adriatic considers certain that Hun will attack NIKSIC and GRAHOVO in attempt to escape via BILECA, GACKO and the NORTH”. Brigadier O’Brien Twohig went off to NIKSIC, ordering sappers to prepare large bridge south of NIKSIC for demolition. Meanwhile, Partisans had driven back Germans from KIFINO SELO to NEVESINJE and A Troop 211 Bty was ordered to leave FORSYTH and rejoin FINNEY. |
| 11:30hrs – 2 of B Troop’s (211 Bty) guns develop lateral play in the cradle and required to be taken to workshops. 2 guns sent from F Troop 476 Bty to replace them. |
| B. M. Adriatic Brigade established main FLOYDFORCE HQ also in USTACHI barracks at TREBINJE. |
| 19:00hrs – Brigadier summoned Colonel JAGO and Lieutenant KETTLE (Signals Officer) to conference on subject of threat against NIKSIC. Decided to move 11/12 Troop RSR from GRKOVAC (FINNEY) to position south of NIKSIC, with Troop 43 (RM) Commando for local protection. This force to be named “FANNIN”. 2 x 75mm guns manned by 31 LAA Regt personnel (75mm handed over to LAA from 111 Fd Regt from PELJESAC operation in OCTOBER) to move from DUBROVNIK to GRKOVAC to replace RSR. |
| 12th November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| Major TURNER decided to have a “GRAND BATTU” with all available guns before the departure from FINNEY of the RSR. Total arsenal composed of: 8 x 25 Pdr (211 Bty), 2 x 25 Pdr (replacements from 476), 4 x 75mm (RSR), 2 x 75mm (LAA). Germans in RISAN area seemed to have been reinforced. Partisans captured two patrols intact. Partisans also captured enemy bunker position at 873479. |
| 12:00hrs – Brigadier established advanced HQ at TREBINJE, leaving Colonel JAGO to command area TREBINJE – DUBROVNIK. |
| 13th November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| 08:00hrs – Colonel JAGO went to NIKSIC and Major CHEESMAN to RISAN area to recce gun positions to be ready for deployment of 212 Bty in either area according to tactical situation. RSR Troop moved to Monastery South of NIKSIC, taking also Captain MARMION RAMC to establish Regimental Aid Post (RAP). |
| 10:00hrs – D Troop 212 Bty arrived at PORT GRUZ from Italy. |
| 11:30hrs – Major Daniel reported to RHQ at Trebinje. The arrival of 212 Bty as a whole is somewhat indefinite, as embarkation had been from BRINDISI, BARI and BARLETTI. 212 Bty ordered to move to TREBINJE when complete. During night, 212 Bty supported Partisan attack on GOLI V and LEDENICI – resulting in capture of Northern village of G. LEDENICI, the Germans still holding out in a few houses in LEDENICI. |
| 14th November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| Captain McLEOD CAREY (Commander E Troop 476 Bty) went with two guns from BILECA with object of establishing a gun position in area KIFINO SELO to shell German position in NEVESINJE. Brigadier DAVY (Commander LFA), Air Commodore SINCLAIR and Captain BLACK (RN) arrived DUBROVNIK. The former two went to NIKSIK and later visited RHQ. Pouring rain all day. 212 Bty arrived at TREBINJE and ordered to prepare to move to area VILUSE, with remainder of 43 (RM) Commando. Bad weather prevented any further progress in RISAN area. |
| 15th November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| Captain McLEOD CAREY returned with his guns having been unable to reach destination as road impassable due to snow, heavy rain and a swollen river. 212 Bty moved to VILUSE area and stages at a railway station. |
“The journey by road was dreadfully monotonous. I smoked and tried to doze. We passed through three or four villages. Trebinje the largest was also RHQ. We stopped for a while whilst Lt. Clay called in. It was queer town, walled and within the walls another walled town, remnant of a Moorish occupation. Women still in robes and veils, men wearing the fly. At most, half the population were I should say of Moorish descent.
Then on and on, finally to a small village – Niksic. We went to the wagon lines then up to the guns. I found the command post three of four hundred yards behind the guns, along a narrow track – a very tiny place – I got quite a reception from everyone. Jock took me to eat, then we talked and for the night I squeezed into the command post.
Next day, I looked into things and found that the situation was that a German corps was trying to fight its way north and the Regiment had to stop it. The Regiment was split three ways – one battery at Niksic to hold any attempt to break through, one near Risan, on the coast, to hold that road and one north of us in case any German division tried to fight south to relieve the corps we had trapped. It was a good thing he had no air support, it was a good thing he didn’t decide to come down from the north.
We stayed there for two or three weeks; the padre got me some films and a snapshot album. I got some good snaps, did some drawing (not very good) and in all had a good time. Tom and I visited a few farmhouses, the people were very hospitable, our host gave us Rakia and sweet cakes and sent his daughter, a child of ten, to guide us back through a blizzard that was blowing. She, poor child, was freezing, a thin cotton dress, hatless, shoeless – I made her take my gloves and scarf.
We inspected the Russian Orthodox Church at Niksic A pretty place externally but bare inside. One day we went to a gypsy’s cave, a mile or so from camp, we chatted, took snaps. We had lots of eggs and poultry, had several good feeds. I had a pet hen, Esmeralda – she escaped eventually. Wolf packs howling by night. All this time we just waiting, waiting, out of range of him and he beyond us.”
Diary entry from 16th November 1944 from Sgt Observer Frederick Sidney Williams, 212 Bty, 111 Fd Regt in his family’s memoirs “Our Fred’s War”.
| 18th November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| 212 Bty OP established at 811963. Captain G. PITT (Commander G Troop) went on recce with Brigadier O’Brien Twohig and LRDG (Long Range Desert Group) to MORAKOVO (9795) to consider the possibility of German attack on NIKSIC from the east. 13:30hrs – CAPTURE OF LEDENICE During the morning, 211 Bty fired arty concentrations on the remaining buildings held by the Germans. A Partisan 6 Pdr also fired from 50x range. Major TURNER (211 Bty and FINNEY) arranged details of a fire plan in support of Partisan attack in the afternoon, but was disturbed from his luncheon by the news that the battle was ended and hastened to LEDENICI. There he was approached by the enemy commander who complained that the Partisans had taken an unfair advantage of his attempt to evacuate his wounded under cover of a white flag and rushing into the garrison had relieved two thirds of his men of guns and personal property. The enemy commander requested that Major Turner should make the Partisans return the arms, watches, rings etc and return to their original positions. Upon a given signal the battle would then recommence. Major Turner however pointed out that the commander’s survival was more important than the rings, watches etc and the entire enemy was persuaded to surrender: 197 unwounded PoW’s plus 70 wounded. 40 dead were counted in LEDENICI including three officers who committed suicide. The Partisans claimed all PoW’s and had to be persuaded to allow a British Medical Officer to treat the wounded. Wounded were eventually taken to FINNEY ADS under Captain KIEFT (RMO 111 Fd Regt) where 70 had to be treated and accommodated as the Partisans refused to allow them to be evacuated. |
| 19th November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| All enemy strongpoints except RISAN now in Partisan hands, and Major Turner sent ultimatum to RISAN commander to surrender by midday and Commander Floydforce requested Balkan Air Force (BAF) to bomb after midday if verey light signals fired from 211 Bty Command Post – otherwise to bomb PODGORICA. |
| 12:00hrs – Signs of increased shelling from enemy guns south of RISAN. No reply to ultimatum, but aircraft failed to observe verey lights and bombed PODGORICA. RAF dropped “surrender” leaflets on FANNIN force and Advanced FLOYDFORCE HQ. Still no sign of enemy attack in strength on NIKSIC. |
| 15:00hrs – 2 x ME 109’s with no armament visible and long range tanks recce’d area BILECA, VILUSE, TREBINJE, PLANA for second day running. Planes probably came from MOSTAR. Partisans sent verbal message to FORSYTH asking for 25 Pdr support again to shell NEVESINJE from KIFINO SELO, in support of attack on NEVESINJE. |
| 20th November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| Captain McLeod Carey contacted Partisans at KIFINO SELO who now required him NOT to fire his guns for fear of enemy retaliation and denied asking for Arty support. Major Hessling and Lieutenant Wynn (LFA Signals) visited FLOYDFORCE SIGS OFFICER (Lieutenant A. C. KETTLE) who persuaded them to send over a Beach Group Signals Section with No.12 sets and No.399 sets to relieve over-strained 111 Fd Regt Signals Section working with No.22 sets between DUBROVNIK – TREBLINJE – BILECA – VILUSE – GRAHOVO and NIKSIC and ONE No.12 rear link set to LFA from DUBROVNIK. 12:00hrs – RSR Troop at NIKSIC sent forward one 75mm gun at Partisans request to 850910 to shell forward German Positions. RISAN area receieved German reinforcements and increased shelling continued. Partisans drove back force about 200 strong which advanced towards LEDENICE. |
| 21st November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| During night 211 Bty OP reported much movement heard of iron wheels and transport in RISAN and of motorboat engines off the coast. |
| 07:00hrs – Enemy appeared to have evacuated the town. Major Turner went into RISAN and found it empty. Widespread destruction as a result of 212 Bty’s fire. In the old gun area at 863448, one closed bunker had 7 German crosses on it (doubtless as a result of a direct hit) and there remained ruins of 1 x 105mm, 1 x 75mm and 1 x 37mm anti-tank guns. 20 derelict vehicles, many wagons and dead horses. |
| 11:30hrs – RAF RP Hurricanes attacked hospital at RISAN scoring direct hits on the building. Major Turner and Lieutenant Owen were both in the building at the time, but fortunately escaped injury. Sounds of explosions later heard from TIVAT, RADOVICI and LEPETANE from which soon afterwards the enemy also withdrew, mostly pursued by 1 BOKALJ Brigade. |
| 17:00hrs – Captain McLeod Carey returned to BILECA with his section having requested the Partisan Commander at KIFINO SELO in future send his demands for arty support in writing. |
| 22nd November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| 08:00hrs – Colonel JAGO and Adjutant left RHQ at TREBINJE to visit NIKSIC area. 211 Bty ordered to pull out from positions in RISAN sector and to harbour between VILUSE and NIKSIC in railway station buildings along the roadside, ready to be deployed in NIKSIC if the Germans should advance. |
| Colonel JAGO arranged with Commander of Floydforce that Regimental HQ would move up to NIKSIC to control 212 and 211 Btys if and when the latter was deployed and when arrival of Beach Group Signals released Regimental Signals Section from inter-force comms. |
| 13:00hrs – The enemy had still not advanced to within range of 212 Bty guns, and one sniping gun (25 Pdr) was sent forward to 843931 to engage enemy targets, much to the delight of the Partisans. |
| 23rd November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| 08:00hrs – Major Cheesman (Second-in-Command) went to NIKSIC to recce gun areas for 211 Bty, and indicated them to Survey Officer. Commander Floydforce ordered 211 Bty to deploy. |
| 15:20hrs – D Troop Sniping Gun, again at 843931, engaged by six rounds enemy fire from 88mm gun and one round landing within one yard, damaging recuperator system and wounding two of the detachment. Lieutenant Shaw (E Troop 476 Bty) sent from FORSYTH at BILECA to collect intelligence from Partisans at KIFINO SELO. Lieutenant Kettle (Signals Officer) went from RHQ to Dubrovnik to meet and install Beach Group Signals. ETA 07:00 on 24 November. |
| 24th November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| 11:20hrs – Signal received from Commander Floydforce “Cancel move RHQ. JAGO to report soonest”. Colonel JAGO accordingly deported from NIKSIC, to find that political difficulties had arisen. Commander of 2 Partisan Corps had apparently received instructions from BELGRADE and indicated to Commander Floydforce that British Troops were not required in NIKSIC, but could be more usefully employed in defending DUBROVNIK and TREBINJE from a “sudden threat” from MOSTAR (this being their appreciation of a move of approximately 4000 Germans from MOSTAR east to area NEVESINJE). |
| 25th November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| 11:30hrs – Major Cheesman returned from NIKSIC. |
| 14:00hrs – Colonel JAGO returned from NIKSIC to represent Commander Floydforce in liaison with 29 Partisan Division in the MOSTAR -NEVESINJE – KIFINO SELO sector. Captain J. A. EARLE RB attached to RHQ as British Military Mission Officer to Colonel JAGO. |
| 16:00hrs – Colonel JAGO and Captain Earle visited 29 Division HQ Chief of Staff to discuss sending arty support to KIFINO SELO for 29 Division, but was told that we should be informed when British support was required. |
| 16:20hrs – F Troop (476 Bty) gun arrived NIKSIC to replace 212 Bty gun out of action. |
| 20:00hrs – 2 x 3.7” HAA guns moved to NIKSIC, to be used to reach enemy targets from available gun positions at approximately 18,000x range. |
| 26th November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| Political situation deteriorated. 3.7” HAA guns arrived at NIKSIC but had to be returned to DUBROVNIK. Arrangements made for 211 Bty also to return to Dubrovnik around NEVESINJE. Germans attempting to move north but held by Partisans. |
| 27th November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| 10:30hrs – A Troop and part of 211 Bty HQ moved to TREBINJE from NIKSIC |
| 11:00hrs – Captain Earle (BMM) returned from daily visit to 29 Division HQ and reports that Chief of Staff considers Germans now attempting to evacuate through KIFINO SELO to SARAJEVO. |
| 17:00hrs – Phone message from Floydforce HQ in Dubrovnik alloted 9 OR vacancies for leave to UK from the Regt and possibly one Officer to embark at Dubrovnik at 05:00hrs 28th November (Insufficient notice to enable any allotments to be given to 212 Bty). |
| 28th November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| 04:00hrs – One Officer leave allotment confirmed and conveyed to Lieutenant R. St. C. Duncan (476 Bty) with difficulties by civilian phone. |
| 08:30hrs – Major Cheesman went to Dubrovnik to audit 476 Bty quarterly accounts. |
| 12:00hrs -Remainder of BHQ 211 Bty passed through TREBINJE to Dubrovnik. B Troop staged at TREBINJE for NIKSIC. |
| 22:00hrs – Major Cheesman returned RHQ with Lieutenant Snelling and canteen, recently arrived from Italy. |
| 30th November 1944 – Trebinje |
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| British Military Mission interpreter Sgt SEDLER attached to RHQ. Colonel JAGO and Intelligence Officer left RHQ to visit NIKSIC area. |