Before moving off it was decided to get the loan of 3 lorries as we thought the A/T carts would not make the twists and turns on the way to 'ALY'. We did unload the carts which made a big difference. We set off for Ain soFar and gained the top without any serious incidents even though the carts were more or less empty. It was hard work for the mules. However we made it in good style.
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Sunday, 6 January 2013
Thursday 27th August 1942
Departed DBAIYE at 07.20 hrs a battery of fighting French 2 pounders were in action around us. This caused a slight delay on reaching the main road. The traffic which was plenty full was against us, also the road was bad and slippery. The mules went down in places. The traffic got worse as we neared Beirouth itself. The day was very hot again, bad for men and mules, rested outside Beirouth for 30 minutes before proceeding up the Ally Hill. This is a big pull and the mules did well. All three water carts had to be towed by the attached 3 tonner and were taken the whole way up to Ain Sofar where they were left with a guard of two men.This saved a lot of worry for the next day's journey.
Lined A/T carts up off main road, all were in one line and they looked rather neat. Armed sentries were placed on guard Colonel Shaw pulled up on the camp site and asked if he could give any assistance. None was required.
The mules had to go among the trees, nowhere else to put them. They were too tired to do any damage. Today the mules have done well. Two more cases of sore withers, there is nothing much I can do about that as all the spare mules have been changed and rechanged. No swimming today as we left the sea behind us.
Lined A/T carts up off main road, all were in one line and they looked rather neat. Armed sentries were placed on guard Colonel Shaw pulled up on the camp site and asked if he could give any assistance. None was required.
The mules had to go among the trees, nowhere else to put them. They were too tired to do any damage. Today the mules have done well. Two more cases of sore withers, there is nothing much I can do about that as all the spare mules have been changed and rechanged. No swimming today as we left the sea behind us.
Wednesday 26th August 1942
left Jbeile at 7.30 hrs, inspected all the traces before opening the convoy out in groups of 5. This was a bad road in three places,due to road building and repairs. The weather was very hot today and then men + mules began to show signs of wear due to the heat. I arrived at our camp, DBAIYE at 12.30 hrs. Sandy camp a bit of a pull after working all morning. Inspected the mules and found two or three sore backs. ASPRO seems to be wearing down. All mules and horses went into the sea and it did them good. After a 3 day trek I cannot grumble at the condition of the mules.
CY280 L/cpl Vusilou was deprived of his stripes for causing a disturbance at meal parade .There was no cause for complaint.
CY280 L/cpl Vusilou was deprived of his stripes for causing a disturbance at meal parade .There was no cause for complaint.
Tuesday 25th August 1942
Left Chekka at 07.30 hrs, got away on a good start, had traffic stopped which left a clear run through the tunnel. I was glad when we were all through. Kept a brigadier waiting for ten minutes. First halt at the far end of the tunnel, pushed on again at the regular place noticed a few traces, wanted looking. Arrived at our camp, Jbiele at 12.45 hrs, lined A/Ts up in three rows. The men did better than the previous day and soon had the heel lines down, plenty of water for the animals.. All finished, watered and fed by 14.00hrs, stables at 16.00 hrs. Inspected the mules and found pressure galls and minor injuries, noted three slight sore backs.. The mules ate their feed better today.
Spent plenty of time in the sea.
16113 'C' troop kicked on the head and over the heart (excused duty).
Spent plenty of time in the sea.
16113 'C' troop kicked on the head and over the heart (excused duty).
Sunday, 23 December 2012
Details Of The Trek to Terbol, August 1942
MONDAY 24th August 1942
Left HQ Company camp at 0800 hrs. Nothing of any importance happened en route, had to change the mules off side to near side on two occasions. Halted 3 times before arriving at our first camp Chekka where dinner was ready and waiting for the men. Lined A/T carts up in lines of 10, placed down heel line, watered and fed. Mens' meals were cleared by 2 o'clock. Inspected mules and found one sore back, four pressure galls and two or three minor rubs.
Mules were not eager for nose bag feed but ate plenty of hay. Mules and horses were taken into the sea by the men and both benefitted from the sea water.
07.00 placed piquet (armed) on the camp. I had a swim night and morning.
Left HQ Company camp at 0800 hrs. Nothing of any importance happened en route, had to change the mules off side to near side on two occasions. Halted 3 times before arriving at our first camp Chekka where dinner was ready and waiting for the men. Lined A/T carts up in lines of 10, placed down heel line, watered and fed. Mens' meals were cleared by 2 o'clock. Inspected mules and found one sore back, four pressure galls and two or three minor rubs.
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| Chekka North Lebanon |
Mules were not eager for nose bag feed but ate plenty of hay. Mules and horses were taken into the sea by the men and both benefitted from the sea water.
07.00 placed piquet (armed) on the camp. I had a swim night and morning.
Letters From England
August 1st 1942 Well fan my brow 8 letters all at once, it's a record.Holiday not for me though. I hear the soldiers on leave in England talking about the good times they are having. 'WHY'?
August 10th 1942 Just finished a letter home but did not say I would shortly be on the move again to a place called RYACH via TRIPOLI, HOMS and BAALBEK. This may be my last trek. I hope so. It will take about ten days. I hear on the wireless about Gandhi being put in the cooler. Not before time.
August 16th 1942 Reccy from the camp to the Cedars 9,000ft up over the mountain top to Baalbek and Ryak. Back to camp, a total distance of 250 miles in one day. Capt Smith paid 990 SP for 6 cans of beer.
August 24th 1942 Set off on trek to TERBOL in the Baalbek area
TRITOLI TO CHEKKA
CHEKKA TO JBIELE
JBIELE TO OBAYYIE
OBAYYIE TO ALYHILL
ALYHILL TO AINSOFAR
AINSOFAR TO ZAALIE
ZAALI TO TEBOL
28th August 1942 Between midnight and revellie Mr. Danil found that he had been robbed during the night, most of his personal belongings besides money were taken. The chief item was his identity card which may fall into the hands of the 5th column.
A good trek with 49 carts and 104 mules + horses.
Arrived in Terbol camp on Sat 29-8-42, vast plain with a range of mountains on each side.
August 30th 1942 American airdrome close by, planes about all day, can't rest for them skimming our tent tops.
August 10th 1942 Just finished a letter home but did not say I would shortly be on the move again to a place called RYACH via TRIPOLI, HOMS and BAALBEK. This may be my last trek. I hope so. It will take about ten days. I hear on the wireless about Gandhi being put in the cooler. Not before time.
August 16th 1942 Reccy from the camp to the Cedars 9,000ft up over the mountain top to Baalbek and Ryak. Back to camp, a total distance of 250 miles in one day. Capt Smith paid 990 SP for 6 cans of beer.
August 24th 1942 Set off on trek to TERBOL in the Baalbek area
TRITOLI TO CHEKKA
CHEKKA TO JBIELE
JBIELE TO OBAYYIE
OBAYYIE TO ALYHILL
ALYHILL TO AINSOFAR
AINSOFAR TO ZAALIE
ZAALI TO TEBOL
28th August 1942 Between midnight and revellie Mr. Danil found that he had been robbed during the night, most of his personal belongings besides money were taken. The chief item was his identity card which may fall into the hands of the 5th column.
A good trek with 49 carts and 104 mules + horses.
Arrived in Terbol camp on Sat 29-8-42, vast plain with a range of mountains on each side.
August 30th 1942 American airdrome close by, planes about all day, can't rest for them skimming our tent tops.
Battle For Egypt is On
June 27th 1942 Very critical position out here, attended a conference today. The battle for Egypt is on.
June 29th 1942 Mersa Matruth has gone to Rommel. What next? Capt Greenwood has left the company.
July 5th 1942 The situation in the desert is a lot better. I may be home early in 43.
July 6 to July 14th 1942 Plenty of routine work.
July 15th 1942 Disorderly conduct by the Cyps, stones thrown at the officers.
9th army rushed out of the desert and stopped Rommel just outside Alexandria. 4 prisoners escaped from the guardroom, standing to in case of trouble, all of us armed with revolvers.
Major The Honourable Mount Joy Fane departed under some kind of cloud. He was not very popular in this unit. No regrets.
Captain Smith arrives. When the war started Captain Smith was a (?) Major in household cav.
More trouble with the Cypriots. 3 men held a young man down and seduced him then took his money. I got Arabadji 28 days field punishment, he told the CO I wanted to shoot him.
Very quiet on the eve of my wedding day.
July 27th 1942 Bunny goes into hospital. Handed over HQ Troop and took over D Troop comprised of 44 A/T carts, a turn for the better and not so much worry. Remember 11 years today.
June 29th 1942 Mersa Matruth has gone to Rommel. What next? Capt Greenwood has left the company.
July 5th 1942 The situation in the desert is a lot better. I may be home early in 43.
July 6 to July 14th 1942 Plenty of routine work.
July 15th 1942 Disorderly conduct by the Cyps, stones thrown at the officers.
9th army rushed out of the desert and stopped Rommel just outside Alexandria. 4 prisoners escaped from the guardroom, standing to in case of trouble, all of us armed with revolvers.
Major The Honourable Mount Joy Fane departed under some kind of cloud. He was not very popular in this unit. No regrets.
Captain Smith arrives. When the war started Captain Smith was a (?) Major in household cav.
More trouble with the Cypriots. 3 men held a young man down and seduced him then took his money. I got Arabadji 28 days field punishment, he told the CO I wanted to shoot him.
Very quiet on the eve of my wedding day.
July 27th 1942 Bunny goes into hospital. Handed over HQ Troop and took over D Troop comprised of 44 A/T carts, a turn for the better and not so much worry. Remember 11 years today.
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