National Archives catalogue number WO 169/10346.

Abbreviations

042498 AA AAC A/C Adjt Adm ADS Airfd AL Amb Amn Armd Arty A/T Attd Bde BHQ Bldg Bn Br Bty CLY CO Comd Comn Coy Def Det Div DZ Fd FUP Gp Hy Incl Ind Inf Infm Instr IO Junc KOYLI LO LZ MG MMG Mot MT Offr OO OR Pdr Pl Posn Prov PW RA RAP Rd RE Ref Regt Reqd Res Rly RSF RV Sec Sig Sitrep Sp Sqn Sta Tk Tp Tpt Trgn Veh Wilts X rds Y & Lancs

Map Reference Anti-Aircraft Army Air Corps Aircraft Adjutant Administration Advanced Dressing Station Airfield Airlanding Ambulance Ammunition Armoured Artillery Anti-Tank Attached Brigade Battalion Headquarters Building Battalion Bridge Battery County of London Yeomanry Commanding Officer Command Communication Company Defence Detachment Division Drop Zone Field Forming Up Place Group Heavy Including Independent Infantry Information Instruction Intelligence Officer Junction King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Liaison Officer Landing Zone Machine Gun Medium Machine Gun Motorised Motor Transport Officer Operation Order Other Ranks Pounder Platoon Position Provost Prisoner of War Royal Artillery Regimental Aid Post Road Royal Engineers Reference Regiment Required Reserve Railway Royal Scots Fusiliers Rendezvous Section Signals Situation Report Support / Self-Propelled (if upper case) Squadron Station Track Troop Transport Training Vehicle Wiltshire Regiment Crossroads York and Lancaster Regiment

Month and year: July 1943

Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. J.A. Dene

1st July 1943

Place: Sousse

'B' Coy firing Small Arms on Range.  Bn Signals on Bde Signal Exercise.  Coy Commanders briefed for Operation "GLUTTON".  Remainder of Bn Individual Trng.

2nd July 1943

'A' Coy & 'C' Coy Small Arms firing on Range.  'B' Coy and M.M.G. Pln Swimming.  'A' Coy & Bn Mortar Pln night Exercise.

3rd July 1943

Bn less 'A' Coy inspection of G1098 Equipment.  'A' Coy Individual Trng.  A/T Pln night Exercise.

4th July 1943

Bn Church Parades.  'A' Coy G1098 Equipment Inspection.  Remainder of Bn Interior Economy.  C Coy & M.M.G. Pln night Exercise.

5th July 1943

'C' Coy & A/T Pln Swimming.  Remainder of Bn. Individual Trng.  'A' Coy & Mortar Pln. Night Exercise.

6th July 1943

'B' Coy Small Arms firing on Range.  'A' Coy & Mortar Pln. Swimming.  Remainder of Bn. Individual Trng.  'B' Coy & A/T Pln night Exercise.

7th July 1943

'B' Coy & M.M.G. Pln Swimming.  Remainder of Bn. Individual Trng.

8th July 1943

0715 - Bn Commenced Briefing for Operation "GLUTTON".

0900 - C.Os. talk on Operation "GLUTTON".  Remainder of Day Briefing.

9th July 1943

0800 - Bn attended talk by Brigadier on Operation "GLUTTON".

1100 - General Montgomery visited Division & welcomed us into 8th Army.

1200 - Rest of Day spent in Briefing for Operation & preparing Equipment.

1800 - Bn drew parachutes & packed containers for Operation.

10th July 1943

1000 - Bn Embussed & moved to Airfields.

1100 - Aircraft bombed up & checked in preparation for dropping at night.  Bn moved to Bivouac areas & rested till 1900 hrs.

1900 - Operation postponed for 24 hrs.  Bn returned to Camp.

2100 - No.6287023 Pte DUNCAN C. sustained fatal injuries by an accidental explosion of a Mills 36 Grenade.  To save his comrades he fell on the Grenade.

11th July 1943

0900 - Bn attended talk by C.O. on postponement of the Operation.

1400 - Bn embussed & moved to Airfields.

1800 - Operation "GLUTTON" cancelled.  Bn returned to Camp.

12th July 1943

0900 - Brigadiers talk to Bn on cancellation of Operation.

1000 - Bn handed in G.1098 equipment & carried out Interior Economy.

13th July 1943

Bn prepared & rested for route march.

2100 - B.H.Q. & 'B' & 'C' Coys paraded for Route March.  Remainder moved to within 12 miles of the Coast near Mahdia & marched into Camp.

14th July 1943

Place: Near Mahdia

0200 - Bn all arrived in Camp by the sea near Mahdia.

0700 - Bn dug slit trenches & prepared Camp.

2000 - Coys carried out night Exercise.

15th July 1943

0900 - Bn fired all weapons on Ranges.

1300 - Remainder of day holiday.

2100 - Bn held an impromptu Concert.

16th July 1943

0900 - Bn fired all weapons on Range.

1300 - Remainder of afternoon off.

2100 - Bn paraded & carried out a night Exercise.

17th July 1943

0800 - Exercise completed.  Bn returned to Camp.  Rest of Day a holiday.

1700 - C.Os talk on Exercise.

18th July 1943

0800 - Bn packed kit & prepared to move back to camp at Sousse.

1700 - Bn embussed for Camp.

1930 - Bn arrived in Camp.

19th July 1943

Place: Sousse

0930 - Bn attended talk by Divisional Commander on Sicilian campaign.  Remainder of day Interior Economy.

20th July 1943

Bn G.1098 Equipment Inspection & Interior Economy.

21st July 1943

0600 - Bn paraded for 12 mile Route March.  Remainder of day Individual Trng.

22nd July 1943

'A' Coy & M.M.G. Pln Swimming.  Remainder Individual Trng.

2100 - B.H.Q. 'A' Coy M.M.G. Pln carried out Exercise "Birdie".  1 Pln of 'C' Coy acted as enemy.

23rd July 1943

'C' Coy swimming.  Remainder Individual Trng.

1730 - B.H.Q. 'A' Coy M.M.G. Pln returned from Exercise Birdie.

24th July 1943

0900 - Bn Drill parade.

1100 - All officers & N.C.Os. attended a Demonstration of A/T weapons.

1500 - 'A' Coy, B.H.Q., & M.M.G. Pln attended talk on Exercise "Birdie" by C.O.  Remainder of Bn Individual Trng.

2100 - B.H.Q., 'B' Coy, & Mortar Pln paraded for Exercise "Birdie II".  1 Pln 'A' Coy Enemy.

25th July 1943

0900 - Bn Church Parades.  Interior Economy.

1730 - B.H.Q., 'B' Coy & Mortar Pln returned to Camp on completion of Exercise Birdie II.

26th July 1943

0900 - B.H.Q., 'B' Coy & Mortar Pln. attended talk on Exercise Birdie II by C.O.  'A' Coy Swimming.  Remainder of Bn Individual Trng.

2100 - B.H.Q. 'C' Coy & A/T Pln paraded for Exercise "Birdie III".  1 Pln 'B' Coy Enemy.

27th July 1943

Bn carried out Individual Trng & Interior Economy.

1730 - B.H.Q. 'C' Coy & A/T Pln returned to camp on completion of Exercise Birdie III.

28th July 1943

0900 - B.H.Q., 'C' Coy & A/T Pln attended talk by C.O. on Exercise Birdie III.  Remainder of Bn Individual Trng.

29th July 1943

Bn carried out Individual Trng & prepared for a route march.

30th July 1943

0015 - Bn paraded for a route march of 16 miles.

0530 - Bn completed route march & spent remainder of day at the sea, swimming.

1730 - Bn returned to camp from swimming.

31st July 1943

0900 - Bn Drill Parade.  Remainder of day Individual Trng & preparing for Exercise "JAY".

2130 - Bn paraded for Exercise "JAY".

Appendix

OPERATION 'GLUTTON'

4 Bn Para Regt AAC OO No 1

Date 10 Jul 43

Ref Maps

        ITALY 1/100,000 GSGS 4164  SICILY Sheet 274

        ITALY 1/25,000 GSGS 4228  SICILY Sheet 274

        TUNISIA 1/200,000 EL DJEM Sheet 12

Timings GMT + 2 hrs ("B" Time)

INFM

        1.  See Intelligence Summary Appx 'A'.

        2.  Enemy.  See Intelligence Summary Appx 'A'.

        3.  Own Tps

                (a) 13 Corps forming part of Eighth Army is landing on beaches SOUTH of SYRACUSE on morning of 'D' day and is then thrusting NORTHWARDS along the coast.  Leading seaborne tps are arriving in the Bde area in the following order:-

                        (i) 5 Div incl elements 4 Armd Bde

                        (ii) 50 Div

                                Leading tps NOT expected to arrive in AUGUSTA area before 1600 hrs D + 1 day.

                (b) 2 Para Bde is under comd 13 Corps.

                (c) Under comd 2 Para Bde from 1100 hrs D - 1 day:-

                        2 Para Sqn RE (less one tp)

                        2 A.L. A/Tk Bty RA (less two tps) (six 6 pdr guns)

                        Two Naval bombardment dets.

                        127 Para Fd Amb (less two secs)

                        Det Ind Para Coy

                (d) Bombing sp is being carried out by sqns of Wellington A/C.

                (e) Dummy dropping is being carried out by Sqns of Boston A/C.

                (f) Under comd 4 Bn Para Regt from 1800 hrs D - 1 day.

                        One tp 2 Para Sqn RE

                        Recce party 2 A.L. A/Tk Bty (1 Offr & 1 OR)

                        One (3 gun tp) 2 A.L. A/Tk Bty (on landing)

                        Det Bde Sig Sec (6 ORs)

                        Det 127 Para Fd Amb (1 Offr 5 ORs)

                        Det Ind Para Coy (1 Offr 2 ORs)

        4.  General Plan

                (a) 2 Para Bde Gp is going to drop on D Day and is going to capture and hold br at 042498 and facilitate the capture of AUGUSTA by seaborne tps.

                (b) Method.  Assault parties consisting each of one coy will drop at 2215 hrs D day to capture br 042498 (coy 6 Para Bn) and Hy AA Bty at 014504 (coy 4 Para Bn).  At 2300 hrs main body of bde will commence dropping on four DZs, two each side of the br.  4 Para Bn (less one coy) and Bde HQ SOUTH of br, 5 Para Bn NORTH of br.  Dropping finishes at 2335 hrs.  4 Para Bn captures br if not already in hands of coy 6 Para Bn and moves NE to area rd junc 066507 leaving sufficient force to enable coy 6 Bn to hold br.  5 Para Bn moves to FUP in area 0651 preparatory to attacking area AUGUSTA rly sta on conclusion of bombing at 0345 hrs D + 1 day.  4 Bn to sp this attack if necessary.  On conclusion attack 5 Para Bn consolidate in area NORTHERN exits AUGUSTA, 4 Para Bn consolidate WESTERN exits AUGUSTA.  Coy 6 Para Bn remains on br.  Two (3 gun) tps 2 AL A/Tk Bty land at 0015 hrs D + 1 day on DZs each side of br and come under comd 4 & 5 Para Bns.  Tp under comd 4 Para Bn to be used for defence of br 042498.  Bde HQ moves in rear of 4 Para Bn and takes up final posn about 075508.  Bde will come under comd of the first div of 13 Corps to arrive.

        5.  INTENTION  4 Para Bn and attd tps will drop on D Day and will

                (i) Capture br 042498 if not already captured by assault coy 6 Bn.

                (ii) Move to assembly posn area rd junc 066507 and be prepared to sp attack of 5 Bn on area AUGUSTA rly sta.

                (iii) Occupying defensive posns facing WEST to the WEST of AUGUSTA.

        6.  METHOD

                (a) Airfds

                        C - EL DJEM 2 (7803) 60 Gp.  Bn HQ & C Coy

                        B - GOUBRINE BANE (6023) 62 Gp.  B Coy

                        F - GOUBRINE 2 (3336) 38 Wing.  Albemarle A/C.  A Coy & MMG Pl.

                (b) Move to airfd - container packing - issue of parachutes and action before drop see Adm Instr issued conjointly.

                (c) Allotment of A/C - container colours etc & order of drop see instr dated 30 Jun 43 & appx D.

                (d) Spare A/C.  One spare C47 will be held on airfd C for commanding Offr.

                (e) DZs

                        DZ 1 - 023483 - 023495

                        DZ 2 - 028483 - 028494

                                Line of flight - SOUTH to NORTH

                                Formation.  C47s - pairs in line astern.  Albemarles - singles in line astern.

                (f) Containers will be dropped last (after No 10 for Albemarles & No 16 for C47s).  Cycles will be thrown out in the middle of the stick.  Res amn & tool containers will be left on the DZ - their posn will be noted and reported through Coy to Bn HQ as early as possible.

                        PHASE I

                (g) A Coy drop 2215 hrs DZ 1.  RV rd junc 018494.  Assault & capture Hy AA Bty 014504.  Bty must be engaged before 2300 hrs.  After consolidation move and cross br 042498 and follow remainder of Bn to assembly posn area rd junc 066507.  Be prepared to leave sufficient men to bring 6 Bn Coy up to strength of full coy.  Be prepared to assist B Coy to clear airfd bldgs 064503.

                (h) C Coy and Adv HQ drop 2300 hrs DZ 2.  RV Xrds 033493.  Capture br 042498 & AA posn 038497 if not already captured by assault Coy 6 Bn.  Move over br to RV area 044501.  After concentration of Bn adv to assembly posn area NORTH of rd junc 066507.  Be prepared to assist 5 Bn by attacking AA posn 070510 from SOUTH.  Be prepared after 0345 hrs to adv in sp 5 Bn on AUGUSTA rly sta in conjunction with B Coy.

                (j) B Coy drop 2309 hrs DZ 1.  RV rd junc 025494.  Move to area rd & track junc 037495 and be prepared to assist C Coy attack on br & AA site.  Cross br to RV area 045501.  After concentration of Bn adv to assembly posn area SOUTH of rd junc 066507 clearing airfd bldgs 064503 en route.  Be prepared to mop up MG posns SOUTH of airfd.  Be prepared after 0345 hrs to adv in sp of 5 Bn on AUGUSTA rly sta in conjunction with C Coy.

                (k) Rear Bn HQ, Mortar Pl & A/Tk pl less one sec drop 2320 hrs DZ 2.  RV X rds 033493.  Move to area rd junc 037495.  Cross br to RV area bend in rd 044500.  Move in rear of C Coy to assembly posn area WEST of rd junc 066507.  A/Tk on arrival in assembly posn one sec A/Tk pl come under comd A Coy.  Two secs A/Tk pl come under comd C Coy.

                (l) Mortars take up base plate posns area rd junc 066507 and be prepared to engage targets on call to sp 5 Bn.  Target I  AA posn 070510.  Target II  Rd junc 078510.  Move when ordered after 0345 hrs to area rd and tk junc 074508, take up base plate posns and prepare to engage targets on call as under.  Target III  rd junc 080510.  Target IV  rd junc 082509.  Target V  rd junc 083505.  Target VI  AUGUSTA rly sta 081501.  Target VII  rd & incl br 084501.  Be prepared from either posn to engage enemy MG posts SOUTH of airfd.

                (m) MMG Pl and one sec A/Tk Pl drop 2335 hrs DZ 2.  Move throughout with Rear HQ.  One sec MMG pl to be prepared to come under comd Coy 6 Bn for def of br.  At assembly posn 066507 remain in Bn Res with Rear Bn HQ.

                        PHASE II

                On completion of Phase I 4 Bn will take up defensive posn facing WEST as under

                        C Coy spurs 069518 & 068514 from incl rd junc 070522 to excl rd at 066512.

                        B Coy spurs 065511 & 064505 from incl rd junc 064513 to incl rd at 064504.

                        A Coy res area astride rd 069512.

                        MMG Pl one sec on right of C Coy area.  Arc of fire right rd running NE to left rd junc 064513.  One sec (if NOT under comd 6 Bn) right on B Coy area.  Arc of fire right rd junc 064513 to left rd junc 056504.

                        Mortar Pl in A Coy area prepared to bring concentrations on rds leading into area from WEST and on enemy located concentrations on call.

                        A/Tk pl  One sec under comd C Coy.  Task to block rd SOUTH of rd junc 070522.  Two secs under comd B Coy.  Task to block rds EAST of rd junc 064513 and 066507.

                        Patrolling  Active patrolling will be carried out by (a) C Coy to area rly sta 053535 & X rds 048518.  (b) B Coy to X rds 048518 & br 042498.  Note. If available captured tpt may be used for these patrols.

        7.  RE  One sec drop with C Coy - move with fwd pl to br.  Be prepared to recce crossing places if br blown or to remove demolition charges if unblown.  One sec drop with rear Bn HQ.  Join 1st sec at br.  Be prepared to (1) repair br.  (2) prepare crossing places in vicinity of br.  (3) If br OK continue adv with Rear Bn HQ and be prepared to (a) lift mines.  (b) lay mines.  (c) Put houses in state of def.

        8.  ARTY

                (1) Recce party 2 AL A/Tk Bty drop with Adv Bn HQ and locate res 6 pdr amn containers.

                (2) One 3 gun tp AL A/Tk Bty lands on LZ 7 NORTH of DZ 1 at 0015 hrs and comes under comd coy 6 Bn for def of br.

                (3) Bombardment dets drop and move with Bde HQ & 5 Bn respectively.  6" Gun Cruiser NEWFOUNDLAND & 15" Gun monitor EREBUS at call of these dets.  Areas selected for bombardment on call are shown at Appx E.

        9.  Ind Para Coy.  1 Offr & 2 ORs drop with A Coy will be used as L.Os. on DZ until reqd for landing of A/Tk Bty and will wear white arm bands.  On completion of task come under comd at Rear Bn HQ.

        10.  Det 127 Para Fd Amb  Drop with A Coy.  1 Offr & 3 ORs.  1 OR with each B & C Coys.

        11.  Bombing

                (a) Sp

                        (i) Preparatory bombing on all located AA posns.

                        (ii) 2200 - 2330 hrs D Day on AUGUSTA and CATANIA.  One third available sorties (proportion 3 to 1).

                        (iii) Intensive bombing of AUGUSTA from 0330 - 0345 hrs D + 1 day with two thirds available sorties.  Bomb line - no tps EAST of line rd junc 063514 to rd junc 066507 before 0345 hrs.

                        (iv) Calls for close sp bombing will be made after Phase I by Bde link to 13 Corps.

                (b) Diversionary

                        During dropping period four sorties on CARLENTINI (9053) and LENTINI (8854).

        12.  Dummy dropping.

                (a) D Day 2215 hrs immediately between CATANIA airfd and br immediately SOUTH of airfd.

                (b) 2215 hrs on main rds NORTH and SOUTH of CATANIA.

                (c) 2230 - 2245 hrs on CARLENTINI and LENTINI.

        13.  MET

Date	Sunset	Dark	Moonset	First Light	Bearing of Moon 2200 hrs	2300 hrs	2359 hrs	Altitude of Moon 2200 hrs	2300 hrs	2359 hrs
Night 9/10 Jul	2016	2118	0030	0454	247°	258°	267°	21°	14°	6°
Night 10/11 Jul	2015	2117	0100	0455	235°	248°	257°	26°	18°	9°
Night 11/12 Jul	2014	2115	0215	0457	203°	220°	233°	30°	22°	15°

        14.  ADM

                (a) General  See separate ADM order issued conjointly.

                (b) A.D.S. will NOT be established until after Phase I.  R.A.P. will NOT be established until after Phase I and will then open at house 069510.  Walking wounded will report during Phase I at br 042498.  Casualties occurring in A Coy at AA Site 014504 will be evacuated if possible to br, if not possible they will be left at AA site with 1 nursing orderly and will be collected later under Bde arrangements.

                (c) Stragglers posts will be set up as follows

                        (1) By Coy 6 Bn on br 042498.

                        (2) By 5th Bn rd junc 063514.

                        4th Bn S/I Walker & 2 ORs HQ Coy at rd junc 033493 until 0030 hrs.  Provost Sjt & 2 ORs Provost Sec at rd junc 066[??]7 from time of arrival there until called in by Adjt.  Prov Sjt to make himself fully conversant with the location of sub units 4th Bn and the location of Bde HQ & 5th Bn HQ.

        INTERCOMN

        15.   (a) Bde HQ drops DZ 2 2326 hrs.  RVs Fm 029496.  Moves to intermediate posn at Quarry 041498 on capture of br.  Moves during Phase I with 4th Bn.  Phase II Houses 075508.

                (b) Bn HQ  Move during Phase I as per para 6 (k) above.  During Phase II will be est at house 072512.  Adv HQ will move throughout Phase I with C Coy.

                (c) L.O.  Lt Heygate will report to Bde HQ 0515 hrs D + 1 with full sitrep.

                (d) Sitreps during Phase I Coys to Bn every 30 mins.  Bn to Bde every 30 mins.  During Phase II every 2 hrs.

                (e) Strength state personnel and weapons.  Coys to Bn as soon as possible after landing.  Bn to Bde on percentage basis as soon as possible within 90 mins after dropping.  Detailed written report to be handed into Bde by IO at Br 042498.

                (f) Code words, code names, recognition signals & Passwords see APPX G.

                (g) Code signs, frequencies and wireless diagram see Appx H.

                (h) No wireless silence after dropping.  All sets (incl spares) will come up and report immediately after dropping.

                (j) All line comn discovered will be destroyed.

                (k) All watches will be synchronized with USAAC & RAF before take off.

        16.  D Day.  10 Jul 43.  Operation may be postponed 24 or 48 hrs.

        17.  ACK

[Signed]

Lt Col

Comd 4 Bn Para Regt AAC

APPENDIX 'A'  INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY

Issued in conjunction with 4 Bn Para Regt OO No 1

OWN TPS

General Plan

        1.  On D Day Force 141 (General Alexander) with under comd 8th Army (General Montgomery) and Force 343 (General Patton), is to invade and capture SICILY.

        2.  Force 343 (American) consisting of three Divisions and an Airborne Division, land in the GELA plain and then adv on CATANIA.

        3.  8th Army, with under comd 10, 13 & 30 Corps, land SOUTH of SIRACUSA and attack NORTHWARDS up the coastal plain to CATANIA via AUGUSTA.  Both these operations will take place simultaneously on D day.

        4.  13 Corps with under comd 5 Div, 50 Div and 4 Armd Bde, land SOUTH of SIRACUSA on D Day under cover of a landing by the Air Landing Bde (Op 'LADBROKE').  5 Div then adv NORTHWARDS on AUGUSTA, by-passing SIRACUSA while 50 Div guard the left flank.

        5.  5 Divs plan for AUGUSTA attack on D+1.

                (a) 17 Inf Bde Gp moves NW up the coastal plain to AUGUSTA with bulk of 3 C.L.Y.

                (b) 13 Inf Bde Gp with possibly 10 tanks in sp, moves via PRIOLO to MELLINI.  They will hold MELLINI and be prepared to operate against AUGUSTA or via VILLASMUNDO against CARLENTINI.

                (c) 15 Inf Bde Gp will move via FLORIDIA to SORTINO and then attack CARLENTINI and LENTINI.  They should reach SORTINO by evening of D + 1 day.

        6.  To maintain the impetus of 5 Divs adv the 2 Para Bde Gp is to land on the night of D day and seize the bridge over the R MULLIHELLO (042498) and contain the enemy in the AUGUSTA peninsula (Op "GLUTTON").

        7.  50 Div eventually passes through 5 Div and advances to seize CATANIA.  The impetus of this adv is maintained by dropping 1 Para Bde ahead of 50 Div on D + 2 to seize the br at 942675 (Op "FUSTIAN").

        8.  In the meantime 30 Corps lands behind 13 Corps and launches a holding attack inland to the WEST.

        9.  10 Corps is held as a floating res.

ENEMY    SHORT ESTIMATE OF THE GARRISON OF SICILY AND ITS LIKELY TACTICAL EMPLOYMENT

General Composition of land forces

        SICILY and the adjacent islands form the Sixth Army Command (HQ at ENNA).  The Sicilian garrison itself consists of two army Corps.  XII (HQ at PALERNO) and XVI (HQ at ARMERINA).

Analysis and numerical strength of land forces

                                                                    Personnel

        (a) Army and Corps Troops                 57,000

        (b) Field Divisions                                58,000

        (c) Coastal Divisions                            61,300

        (d) Miscellaneous                                 31,700

        TOTAL                                               208,000

COMPOSITION OF VARIOUS TYPES OF DEFENCE UNITS

        (a) Mobile Gps (Nuclei colori)  Seven 'mobile groups' have been identified.  They do not form an entirely independent element in the composition of the garrison as they are formed from units detached from larger organizations.  The composition of the 'mobile group' almost certainly varies and may contain a combination of any of the following:- Inf Coy, MG Coy, A/Tk Coy, arty bty (British tp), 20mm AA, IG Coy, light tank coy.

        (b) Anti-Parachutist Groups  About sixty 'anti-parachutist gps' have been identified.  They are composed of some 40 men equipped with small arms specially detached from other units.

        (c) Tank Bns  At present three tank bns approx 50 tanks each have been identified.  Two of these are equipped with French 11-ton R-35 tanks and the third with Italian 3 ton L-3 tankettes.  The former is a low-powered and unreliable vehicle and the latter cannot be considered as more than a tracked MG carrier.

ROLE OF THE VARIOUS CATEGORIES OF DEFENCE FORCES

        The principal ports and airfields of SICILY are very heavily defended against direct assault from the sea or the air by coastal and A.A. Arty and by concentrations of both static and mobile tps.  Reserves are so disposed as to ensure speedy reinforcement of such areas.

        At the same time the organisation and disposition of the garrison generally is designed to facilitate the defence of the island against invasion through the less heavily defended parts of the coast.

NOTES ON ORDER OF BATTLE

        1.  There are German A.A. Btys (probably an AA Regt) in our area.  No precise identifications can be given.  These units must be reckoned with as ground tps once a landing has been effected.

        2.  Concentration areas for the main mobile reserves are well WEST of our area.  They are: CATTAGIRONE - RAGUSA area.  CATTANISETTA area.

        3.  Armoured trains.  A report states that there are armd trains in the island with two 120mm and four 152mm guns.

        4.  Inland Patrols.  These are the duty of the Carbinieri.  Their duties are the guarding of V.Ps and the carrying out of road patrols.  Tunnels, bridges are the responsibility of the local military and the sentries are not very alert.

        5.  Anti-Parachute Nuclei.  These are mobile groups of platoon strength armed with automatic weapons.  A certain number have been identified and six are known to be in the CATANIA area.  Each Coastal Bn has one such body but this arrangement would hardly provide a sufficient number of Nuclei for the area.  There may be as many as 16 Anti-parachute Units in the CATANIA PLAIN.

        6.  Nuclei Celere.  These are mobile units of varying size.  They were composed of two or more of the following elements: Sqn of Tanks - Tp of A/Tk Guns - Tp of Fd Arty - coy of M.M.Gs - coy of mot inf.  No 2 Mobile Gp (2 mot MG Bn) is at SCORDIA.  No 6 Mobile Gp (1 Coy is in Eastern SICILY).

        7.  Local Defence.  One P.W. states that there is no civilian defence organization and goes so far as to say that a landing would be welcomed by the civilian population.  (Date of Interrogation Nov 42).  Owing to the shortage of accommodation tps are billeted in all the small villages and would no doubt offer some resistance in the event of an airborne landing in the vicinity.

        8.  Tanks.  One Bn of 46 R-35 tanks is at SCORDIA, south of the CATANIA PLAIN.  R-35 tanks are ex French 11 ton tanks armed with one 37mm A/Tk gun and one MG.

        9.  Napoli Division.  The NAPOLI DIVISION is responsible for the VIZZINI area which includes the following: CALTAGIRONE, GRANMICHELE, VIZZINI, HILITELLO, BUCHERI, MONTEROSSO.  The div is well supplied with MT and in 1942 was trg mobile defence columns which included lorry drawn arty.  These stood by ready for action at any time.  There are light tanks, 75/27's mounted on FIAT lorries and tracked MCs with mounted MGs in this area.  There is also a regt of Italian Pack Arty distributed in the area.  German troops together with Italian tps are responsible for the area LENTINI - AUGUSTA - SIRACUSA.  There are German troops with S.P. guns in the vicinity of AUGUSTA.  Defence Methods.  In the event of alarm each unit deploys according to plan over its sector and establishes contact with the flanking units.

LIST OF ACCEPTED MAP REFS OF IMPORTANT POINTS IN 'GLUTTON' AREA.

INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY - LOCAL

The following points must be noted:-

TOPOGRAPHY

        (a) Stone walls, orchards and olive groves are not tank obstacles.

        (b) The escarpment WEST of the Gulf of Augusta is practicable tank country.

        (c) With the exception of the STRAND and PICCADILLY all rds in the AUGUSTA area are little more than dusty cart tracks.

        (d) The high ground in the LENTINI - VILLASMUNDO area dominates the whole rly and rd system as it bands round NW by AUGUSTA.

RESOURCES

        Majority of MT will probably have been requisitioned by the Army.  Horse tpt should be available at all fms.  The water viaduct crossing the MULLINELLO just E of WATERLOO BR will carry a large supply of good drinking water, if undamaged.  There are numerous wells but most are polluted.

OWN TPS

        Seaborne forces are landing on the SE of SICILY on D day.  The leading tps (5 Div) adv up the coastal plain from SIRACUSE to AUGUSTA.  The first tps to reach WATERLOO BR will probably be 17th Inf Bde Gp with 3 C.L.Y.  The Inf of 5 Div are:-

                13 Inf Bde  2 Cameronians, 2 Inniskillings, 2 Wilts

                15 Inf Bde  1 Green Howards, 1 Y & Lancs, 1 K.O.Y.L.I.

                17 Inf Bde  2 R.S.F., 2 Inniskillings [should read Seaforths or Northamptonshire Regiment], 6 Seaforths

                NB.  Own AFVs incl: Shermans, Crusaders, Cromwells, Honeys, Scorpions, Churchills.

                NOTES.  Further infm, Bde I Summaries when available, Models, annotated maps and air photographs, full comparative stereo cover etc can be seen at Bn briefing room, scale models of buildings etc will be made on request.

APPENDIX 'B' - INSTRS ON THE OCCUPATION OF TOWNS

Issued in conjunction with 4 Bn Para Regt AAC  OO No 1

1.  Do's

        (i) Impound Mayor, Chief of Police, Harbour Master, Signalmaster, Manager of waterworks, Electric Light Manager.

        (ii) Put out fires.

        (iii) Turn off all water taps: all smoke screen taps.

        (iv) Salve locomotive - loco sheds; brs to island of AUGUSTA.

2.  Dont's  Don't damage or pilfer

        (i) Docks - any dock equipment or throw anything into docks.

        (ii) Railways: any railway equipment - telegraphs, signals, brs, points, tools.

        (iii) Towns: any electric power sta, telephone exchange, waterworks and plant, refrigeration plant - any electric fittings or spare parts for electric engines, R.E. stores or tools from steam rollers and other road repairing vehs.

        (iv) Don't break - glass, doors, cupboards, furniture.