Post by Diarist on Feb 4, 2016 7:53:24 GMT 1
The TO&E isn't going too well because I'm missing personnel for the company headquarters. I need an orderly room, commo section, armoury section, supply section and motor pool and they all need to be para-trained. What's more, the other three platoons won't arrive until 10 days from now at the earliest and the war will probably be over by then. Last night's successes against the Italian 7th CCNN Division has me thinking about a new operation. If the garrison of Fort el Grein is attacking Siwa then maybe we should take el Grein. It is ca. 30km north of Giarabub and 50km SSW of Fort Maddalena. Unfortunately there is no airfield there. We put together a plan and inform Commander Mountbatten who gives the green light.
During the day 'A' Company of the 1st Battalion, Green Howards is flown from Mersa Matruh to Siwa. 'B' company of the battalion is motorized and heads south after dark taking with it a battery from the 92nd FA Regiment. At Siwa 'A' Company takes most of 17th Infantry Brigade's trucks and at dusk heads north to meet 'B' Company east of El Grein. Our reinforced parachute platton will jump west of El Grein just before first light and will support the Green Howard's attack from east. All this is weather permitting because there are frequent sandstorms this time of the year. Time to repack our parachutes and grab the rest of our gear.
