Training Instructions ( Arakan ) October 1944

TRAINING INSTRUCTION NO. 3 COPY NO. 18 (ARAKAN) 22 OCT 44         

 

Copy of original document supplied by John Mewett

Transcribed by Elaine Southworth-Davies

 

N/A Document WO/218/63

During the next 10 weeks the Commando will be required to mount and carry out small raids on the enemy coast line.  These raiding parties will form a back-bone of well trained personnel for larger scale ops in the future.

TRAINING ORGANISATION

  1. All Tp Comdrs will train and prepare small raiding parties.  Only their best raiding party will be employed when the opportunity occurs.

It is suggested that Tps form 6 raiding parties per Tp.These will be composed of 1 Offr, 2 TMOs, 2 Bomber- Pistolmen, 2 Garrand Riflemen (This may be increased to 3 B.O.Rs at Tp Comdrs discretion;the Sec Offr being trained to lead in 3 groups).A Bren Gp or 2” Mortar Team may be attached and will, invariably, be attached with 2 Gps which are working together:the 2” Mortar to be used for smoke, H.E., and light signals to confuse the enemy.

The best organisation will be carefully studied and particular attention will be paid to weights and equipment.After trials, Tp Comdrs will submit their proposals.Tp Comdrs are reminded that the success of any raiding party depends largely on attention down to the very smallest detail. See Suggested Organisation shown in para 3.

TRAINING TASKS

  1. (a) Practice by day in route-finding and rapid movement as a preliminary.

 

(b)The night will be the usual time for training in order that movement and control may bebrought to a high standard.Battle drills will be studied and rehearsed.

(c)The following points will be studied and practiced:Stalking of sentries-capturing and securing a prisoner – small demolition work on bridges and guns-road mining and ‘booby trapping’-general knowledge of first aid and the carrying of a wounded comrade-searching of a village and contacting friendly agents-disembarkation and swimming through surf-the waterproofing and rapid cleaning of weapons-ambuscades-the use of field glasses and telescope.

(d)Sand Table:A largescale sand table is being prepared so that patrol sand table exercises, battle drills, movement, can be studied.

(e)Shooting:Ranges of various types are being made so that men will be well-exercised in their weapons.Tp Comdrs will make full use of these ranges.

(f)Support Troop:2 Tp will organise Troop patrol parties out of MMG personnel.The 3” Mortar Sec will be practiced in firing from S.L.Cs and if it can be arranged will occasionally man the 3” Mortars already mounted in M.Ls.

(g)Intelligence:Int personnel will be attached to Tps and will pay particular attention to observation-using the telescope or field glasses.

(h)Signals:Sigs will exercise under the Signal Offr and complete their post classification training.A new Sig Cadre will be started and the Signal Officer’s target will be to have a 400% reserve of trained signallers.

NO. 1 COMMANDO - BLOCK TRAINING PROGRAMME

For 4 days Ship-board Training

 

 

  1. HOURS OF WORK             (A period equals 45 minutes)

                        6 periods (inc. Boat Drill) per day.             Total ….24

  1. BLOCK PROGRAMME                                     Periods

A. Lectures to Troops6

B. Exercise8

C. Boat Drill6

D. Military Tag3

E. Spare1

24

A.            (i) Lectures to Tps  ( 1 period each)

 

Serial

Lecturer

Subject

Reference

Given to

1

Lt. Larcher

Jungle Lore

AITM 21

4 Corps Notes

2 Div Notes, etc.

All Tps

2

Lt. Dawson

“Words of Wisdom from the Front”

AITM 24

do.

3

Capt. Davies

Japanese in Battle

Enemy methods

Notes on Jap Army No.1

Battle Bulletin No.1

News from Theatres of War 12 & 15

do.

4

Lt. Nias

Arakan – Country and people.

-

do.

5

Trg. Offr.

Drill for occupation of Cdo Box

-

do.

6

Medical Offr

New Medical Pack

-

do.

(ii)

Lectures to selected personnel (NOT inc. in Block Programme)

7

Sig. Offr

Supply by Air

14th Army

316/8/CT

Officers, WOs & Sgts

8

I.O.

“Maplay” M.R. Code

3 S.S.Bde

G/14/5/21

All Officers

9

I.O.

“Unicode” M.R. Code & Syllabic Cipher

do.

do. (for transmission to Tps)

D

Military Trg

  1. Compass & Navigation
  2. Weapon Training
  3. “Deaf & Dumb” Alphabet
  4. Supply by Air (Serial 7)

Rifle Tps will do periods a, b, c.

Signal Sec “    “     “          b, c, d.

Intell. Sec.      “     “          b, c, d.

 

4/10/44                                                                                (J.H.S. TURNBULL)      Major.                                                                                                                                       Offr i/c Trg.  No. 1 Commando.


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