APPENDIX B
SECRET
EXERCISE NUTS
'Q' COMP BTY 21.2.42
GENERAL IDEA.
EASTLAND invaded WESTLAND early in December 41. After initial
success EASTLAND reached the general line CHATHAM - WROTHAM - TUNBRIDGE WELLS -
BEXHILL.
WESTLAND having been reinforced, counter-attacked on 17 Feb 42
and by
1100 hrs. 20 Feb 42 had reached the line FAVERSHAM - HARRIETSHAM - CRANBROOK -
HASTINGS. Information from Tac/R and agents showed the enemy was preparing a
defensive position on the ISLE OF OXNEY and the line NEWENDEN 2646 - SANDHURST
CROSS 2246.
By 1500 hrs. 20 Feb 12 Corps WESTLAND had reached the general line
WINCHELSEA 3436 - BROADOAK 2638 - ROBERTSBRIDGE 1742 - with 43 Div on left and
44 Div on right. Enemy resistance was weakening and by 1630 hrs. the recce bns
of each division reached the line of the R. ROTHER - KENT DITCH. They reported
all bridges destroyed and that enemy artillery was very active in shelling all
movement. The WALLARD and ROMNEY MARSHES were reported as flooded.
SPECIAL IDEA
C.R.A. 46 Div had under command : -
2 Med Regt, 127 A. Fd. Regt. Comp Bty 7 SY Regt (including H.Q. SY Bty) A/CBO
At 2300 hrs. 20 Feb C.R.A. gave verbal orders. These included : -
Information
46 Div is
establishing a bridgehead across the ROTHER and is
attacking at 1500 hrs 21 Feb. 138 Bde on right, 139 Bde on left.
1st objective FROGS HILL 2746 - SANDHURST CROSS
2246 both incl. 138 Bde.
NORTHLANDS 2145 - Rd Junc 175446 - both incl. 139 Bde
2nd Objective ROLVENDEN 2849 - HAWKHURST 1947 -
FLIMWELL 1549
Routes of advance
138 -
Route A - BROADOAK 2638 - NORTHIAM 2643 - ROLVENDEN
139 -
Route B - CRIPPS CORNER - HAWKHURST
Div
H.Q. - Route B
Inter
div. bdy - incl. 46 DIV - Route A
Intention 46 Div Arty and attached Tps will support the attack.
Method Regtl gun areas : - as trace
" O.P "
"
Survey
- all guns on grid by 1400 hrs 21 Feb Report Centre
Rd Junc 218405
F.S.
- Ranging Sec to obtain meteor on divisional front under
command 151 Fd. Regt.
Obs Sec.
Gen. Obs. on KENT DITCH re-entrant and the BODIAM -
SILVERHILL feature.
S.R. Tp
under comd 2 Med . To deploy with ref. To area HAWKHURST.
Task immediate neutralisation.
Inter-communication A/CBO to provide one 11 Set for F.S. Tp. and one for S.R. Tp.
R.A. H.Q. at
SEDLESCOMBE STREET 2136.
NOTE
'Q' Comp Bty will move from present
locations via FLIMWELL 1549 - JOHNS
CROSS 1839 - BATTLE 1834. 'Q' Bty R GPS will R.V. SEDLESCOMBE CH
214374 at 0915 hrs.
G & W GPS will R.V. with head of column at Road junket.
213361 at 0915hrs
H.Q. Sy Bty will move via BODIAM 2144 - STAPLE CROSS 2140 - BREDE
2636 and
will R.V. as follows : -
"R" Group - SEDLESCOMBE CH. - 0915 hrs.
G & W Group : - head at rd Junc 26336
__________________________________________
16 Feb 42
Appendix 'B'
EXERCISE "NUTS"
TIME DIARY
0915 R Parties
at SEDLECOMBE CHURCH 214374.
C.R.A's orders. D Tp Under command 8 Bty 2 Med Regt R.A.
B Tp Banging section under command 151 Fd Regt R.A.
0925 ) Reconnaissance by R
Parties.
1030 )
0930 D Tp R.V. with
O.C. 2 Med Regt R.A. Mabbs Fm 221367
0940 Bty H.Q.
established at Queens Head Hotel, Sedlescombe 217367
1000 Wagon lines established
in Oakland's Wood 223362
1030 Co-ordinating
Conference. Locations -
D. H.Q. Great Sanders 216382
Svy Report Centre. Rd Junction 218405
B Tp Ranging Section (151 Fd) 234407
B Tp Obs. Section Semstead Farm 2442
Tp H.Q. 2 Med Regt R.A. Sedlescombe Church 214374
1130 Svy Report Centre
reported under heavy fire.
1140 Svy Report Centre
rendered untenable and closed down.
1200 Svy Report Centre
re-opened at Cattsgreen Fm 223396.
D Tp report enemy guns, 199451 to A/CBO
1250 One Flash Post 'B'
Tp Obs. Section in action
1315 Both flank Posts
'B' Tp " " " "
1320 Reports of enemy
infantry and convoy movements from B Tp Obs Secn Tp. A/CBO.
1400 Bearings through
to 2 Med Regt R.A., 71 Fd. Regt. R.A., 151 Fd. Regt. R.A.,
70 Fd. Regt. R.A., and 127 A Fd. Regt R.A.
1401 Exercise NUTS
ends.
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Gun and OP Position Trace