History of the Irish Guards in WWII

Last Updated 27 March 2002

Creation of the Irish Guards

The newly formed battalion of Irish Guards made their first appearance in London the other day, when the Duke of Cambridge inspected at Wellington Barracks a dismounted parade of the troops which have been selected from the Home District for the Duke of York's Australian Guard of Honour. The Irish Guards appeared in uniforms similar to those of the other Foot Guards, and were distinguished by blue hackles to their bearskins and shamrock badges. A close observer would also have remarked that the tunic buttons were in sets of four. A few of the men wore the new forage cap, which is very much like a fireman's cap with green band round it. It will not be out of place, perhaps, to notice here the distinctive marks of the other three regiments of Foot Guards, for though these regiments are more familiar to Londoners than any other, it is doubtful whether the distinction is obvious to the majority. The main differences in uniforms are as follows:-The Grenadiers have a grenade at each end of the collar, and have nine buttons in front of their tunics at equal distances. Their bearskins have on the left side white goat's hair plumes; and their forage caps have red bands. The Coldstream Guards have a star of the Garter at each end of their collars, and have ten buttons to their tunics, arranged in twos. Their bearskins have a red feather on the right side, and their forage caps have a white band. The Scots Guards have a thistle at each end of their collars, and have nine buttons to their tunics arranged in threes. Their bearskins have no plume, and their forage caps have a red-and-white check band. The new regiment of Foot Guards is not the first regiment bearing the title "Irish Guards." When Charles II. at the Restoration established his Household Brigade, he allotted regiments of Guards to each of the three kingdoms. The regiment of Irish Guards was raised in the early part of 1662, and the Earl of Arran, fifth son of the Duke of Ormond, was appointed to command it. The headquarters of the regiment was at Dublin. On several occasions the Irish Guards did good service in putting down risings. During Monmouth's rebellion four companies were brought to Chester, but were sent back after the battle of Sedgemoor, their services not being required. When Tyrconnel became Lieutenant-General in Ireland the Irish Army was remodelled, and 400 Protestants in the Irish Guards were turned out of the regiment, their places being filled by Roman Catholics. In 1668 seven of the thirteen companies of which the regiment then consisted were brought to England to join the army with which James II. intended to repel the invasion of William of Orange. They were stationed at Tilbury, and when the Prince of Orange entered London they were disarmed and marched under a Dutch escort to the Isle of Wight, whence, after a short detention, they were transferred to the service of the Emperor of Germany. The remaining six companies left in Ireland declared for James II., and served in his army in all the fighting with William III. down to the final capitulation of Limerick in 1691. Under the Convention then signed all James II.'s Irish regiments were allowed to volunteer for the French Army, and the Irish Guards went to France. There they became the "Royal Regiment of Ireland," and as such took part in the war which Louis XIV. waged with William III., and afterwards with Queen Anne. At Neerwinden and in a battle near Tournay they were opposed to the only Irish regiment that was retained in William's service, the Royal Irish (the old 18th Foot). After the peace of Utrecht the Royal Regiment of Ireland ceased to exist, the men being absorbed in other regiments of the French Irish Brigade. In Queen Anne's time a proposal was made to raise another regiment of Irish Guards, but it was never carried out. And it has been left to Queen Victoria to pay this graceful honour to Ireland.

(This article appeared in "The Graphic" on 24 November 1900)

1st Battalion Irish Guards in Norway

At the outbreak of World War II, the 1st Bn. Irish Guards were stationed at Wellington Barracks in London under the command of Lieut.-Colonel W. D. Faulkner, M.C. Once the Nazi invasion of Norway was underway, the 1st Battalion Irish Guards were made part of the 24th Guards Brigade with 1st Bn. Scots Guards and 2nd Bn. South Wales Borderers just returned from a long tour in India. On 4 April the King visited the battalion during training exercises. A visit from the King was a sure sign the battalion was to be sent overseas soon as he always visited units about to embark. The next day, leave was stopped and packing began in earnest. Most men believed that France was their destination. On 10 April 1940, the battalion was given its marching orders. The 1st Bn. was to leave London through Euston station at 8pm that night. The destination was Norway. Full "Christmas Tree Order" - "Change of Quarters" with additions was to be worn with British Warms and a haversack slung on either side and the respirator at the alert. A full kit inspection was held in the square before enbussing. Some of the kit issued was as follows: one mess tin, ground sheet, two pair socks, one cap comforter, holdall complete, two towels, soap, two pair laces, housewife, canvas jacket and trousers, one pair canvas shoes, one shirt, one vest, small kit, clasp knife and lanyard, A.B. 64 and identity discs, field dressing, gas cape, gloves, wallet, anti-gas eyeshields and ointment, and ration bag. This was also the first time the battalion as a whole wore the new battledress.

11 April 1940 the troop train reached Glasgow and the King George V Dock. The battalion was marched off the train and directly onto the Monarch of Bermuda, which then set sail at 3pm that day. While on the boat, the men were issued with quilted sleeping bags, kapok greatcoats, sheepskin jackets, thick sweaters of every colour, white fur caps, mittens, long woollen stockings, and a pair of special snow boots one size larger than normal to accommodate at least two pairs of stockings.

The battalion spent four days at sea and were supposed to land at Narvik in Norway. Confusion in loading the boats put the battalion on one boat and all the maps of Narvik and Norway on another boat. The maps turned out to be of no use anyhow because the Germans had since occupied Narvik. The battalion sailed north of the Lofoten Islands and into the Vaags Fjord and on 15 April landed at Harstad wearing "Arctic coats, pullovers and snow gloves and carrying two kit-bags stuffed with winter comforts." Harstad is located on the north-east corner of the island of Hinno separated from the mainland by the Vaags Fjord. [See Maps.]

No. 1 Coy. positioned themselves a half mile out of town while No. 3 Coy. and No. 4 Coy. continued along the Vaags Fjord to the villages of Kannebogen, Mekile and Breivik. The battalion stayed in these positions for four days while the South Wales Borderers landed at Skaanland, 15 miles down the fjord.

16 April, No. 2 Coy. crossed the fjord to Skaanland and marched to Evenes on the Ofoten Fjord at the west end of Bogen Bay. One platoon stayed here while the rest of the company continued on to Lenvik on the east side of the bay.

18 April, the battalion minus No. 2 Coy. loaded onto HMS Vindictive. The next day HMS Vindictive landed the battalion at Liland in Bogen Bay where they met up with No. 2 Coy. minus one platoon at Evenes. Later in the day they learned that the 3rd German Mountain Division was holding Narvik.

20 April, two platoons of No. 2 Coy. set out for Bogen followed later by a third. They were to hold this position as a defensive position in case the Germans attacked out of Narvik. On 23 April, the officers of the battalion had an O-Group on board the destroyer Bedouin to do a recon of Narvik from the bay in preparation for a landing. The landing was to be held the next day.

24 April, the naval bombardment of Narvik began in preparation for the landing. Soon after loading the boats in terrible weather, the landing was cancelled. It was determined that the naval bombardment was insufficient and the bad weather could not guarantee that the landing craft would even make it to the shore. The battalion was returned to Liland except for No. 2 Coy. who was brought back to Bogen. Two days later, No. 2 Coy. took boats and landed at Lenvik, which had just been evacuated by the Germans. In Lenvik, No. 2 Coy. made the first contact with the Germans. After a short firefight with no casualties on either side, the German ski patrol withdrew and two days later No. 2 Coy. returned to Liland to gloat about the contact with the rest of the battalion.

30 April, the South Wales Borderers landed south of Narvik on the Ankenes Peninsula in preparation for the eventual assault on Narvik. The next day, No. 3 Coy. moved to Lenvik.

On 2-4 May, the allied forces evacuated southern Norway. This left the capture of Narvik as a mute point since they could never retake southern Norway and they could not possibly hold out in northern Norway even if Narvik were taken. The allies decided to go ahead with the capture of Narvik to prevent supplies of Swedish iron from reaching Germany.

While in Bogen awaiting the attack on Narvik, Colonel Faulkner wrote about the colourful variety of clothes the battalion wore to keep warm. "We have issue sweaters, white, brown, grey, dark blue and sky blue, which look very fetching indeed especially when worn with a leather jerkin, white cap and goggles."

11 May 1940, the 2nd Bn. left Tunbridge Wells for Dover to embark to the hook of Holland. At this time, the 1st Bn. had one platoon at Evenes, No. 2 Coy., No. 4 Coy. and Battalion HQ at Liland, No. 3 Coy. at Lenvik, and No. 1 Coy. at Skjomnes to support the South Wales Borderers. The next day, the French Foreign legion landed at Bjervik and the Poles landed at Bogen and moved on to Bjervik. The Germans now held only Narvik. With the south of Norway now free of allied troops, the Germans were free to use all available troops to push north for the relief of Narvik. The allies decided to stall the Germans at Mö, the narrowest part of Norway. The Scots Guards were sent there and on 13 May the Irish Guards were put on the Chobry en route for Mö to help the Scots Guards hold. Two days later, the Chobry was bombed by the Luftwaffe and sank with the loss of Colonel Faulkner, many officers, other ranks and all equipment. The survivors of the battalion were picked up by various ships and brought to Harstad [see related article]. The battalion then moved to Ervik to reassemble. Two days later, Captain H. C. McGildowny arrived from England and took command of the battalion. The boat carrying the South Wales Borderers struck a rock and didn’t make it to Mö either. The Scots Guards were left alone to halt the Germans.

19 May, six days after the Chobry incident, the Scots Guards could no longer hold and started the long retreat north by foot. The next day, the Irish Guards left by boat and landed at Hopen near Bodö and marched to Godenes to become part of Stockforce commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Stockwell. Stockforce was assembled to block the Germans and cover the retreat of the Scots Guards. Aside from the artillery units and RASC units, the Irish Guards were the only infantry in Stockforce.

24 May, the battalion landed at Rognan to await the Scots Guards in Pothus Wood. That evening, the Scots Guards passed through. Two hours later, the first Germans appeared. For two days the battalion held the Germans until flanked from both sides and thus added another battle honour to their list. The battalion withdrew back to Rognan and were evacuated by boat without No. 2 Coy., half of battalion HQ and a few men from No. 3 Coy. who were cut off by the Germans before they could retreat. The remnants left behind broke out and made north toward allied lines the same day.

27 May, the battalion landed at Fenneid and marched to Fauske. Later that evening, the rest of the battalion marched in from the south and the next day, they all left Fauske for Valnes Peninsula.

29 May, French, Poles and Norwegians took Narvik. The next day the battalion marched to Hopen and sailed from there to Bodö as part of the evacuation. Once the battalion reached Bodö, they were again ordered to sail. This time they landed at Harstad and marched to Ervik on 31 May to await evacuation to England.

2 June, General Auchinleck G.O.C. visited the battalion at Ervik to present decorations. Three days later the battalion moved to Borkones and on the 8th set sail for England on the ship Lancastria. The Irish Guards had landed as part of the first British troops in Norway and were now leaving as part of the last British troops to withdraw from Norway.

10 June, the battalion landed at Greenock where Lieut.-Colonel E. Mahoney took command of the battalion upon their arrival. The battalion then moved to Coatbridge for four days and then to Northwood outside of London. The battalion stayed here for 2½ years before their next action.

Idle in Norway

In April 1940, the 1st battalion Irish Guards landed in Norway. German aircraft were a great nuisance to the Royal Navy and Anti-Aircraft duty was of great importance to keep supply and troop ships from being bombed. The following story takes place in the village of Liland near Narvik just as Colonel Faulkner, the Colonel of the 1st battalion Irish Guards, was coming ashore on a "puffer."

The "puffer" reached Liland pier just as a seaplane flew in low over the village. It was an old Walrus from H.M.S. Southampton, carrying the Admiral to Aurora. The anti-aircraft post by the pier greeted it with a sharp burst of Bren gun fire. The seaplane climbed steeply and then came down again and circled round for recognition. The Bren gun opened up again. "Who is in charge of that post?" asked Colonel Faulkner. "Lance-Corporal Ludlow, sir." Lance-Corporal Ludlow (generally known as "Twenty to Four" from the angle of his feet) was marched into the Commanding Officer’s Orders the next morning as "idle in the recognition of aircraft." Sympathetic friends were waiting for him outside Battalion H.Q. "What did you get?" "Reprimand." "What for?" "Missing a low-flying admiral."

 Composition of Harpoon Force
The Hook of Holland
May 1940

Lieut.-Colonel J. C. Haydon, O.B.E., Commanding Officer, 2nd Irish Guards.
Major G. St. V. J. Vigor, Second-in-Command, 2nd Welsh Guards.
Captain H. S. Phillpotts, Adjutant, 2nd Irish Guards.
Lieutenant D. Hornung, Intelligence Officer, 2nd Irish Guards.
Strength of Companies
Headquarter Company, 174 men of 2nd Bn. Irish Guards.
No. 1 Company, 201 men of 2nd Bn. Welsh Guards.
No. 2 Company, 91 men of 2nd Bn. Irish Guards.
No. 3 Company, 90 men of 2nd Bn. Irish Guards.
No. 4 Company, 95 men of 2nd Bn. Irish Guards.
Total (including attached) - 651 men.

2nd Bn. Irish Guards in the Hook of Holland May 1940

10 May 1940 German forces invaded Holland and the Dutch Government appealed to Britain for help. With most British forces already occupied in Norway and France, the most the War Office could promise was a force of Royal Marines and a battalion of the Brigade of Guards. At the time of the invasion, the 2nd Bn. Irish Guards, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel J. C. Haydon, O.B.E., were on the move to Tunbridge Wells.

With the departure of the 1st Bn. Irish Guards a month previously from Wellington Barracks, the 2nd Bn. fully expected to follow them to Norway. Two weeks passed before the orders were finally given to proceed to Norway. Two days later, these orders were cancelled and Old Dean Camp, Camberley, became their new destination. At Old Dean Camp the 2nd Bn. Irish Guards became part of the 20th Guards Brigade, commanded by Brigadier W. L. Fox-Pitt, M.C., along with the 2nd Bn. Welsh Guards and the 5th Bn. The Loyal Regiment.

Leave parties for the men started leaving early in the morning on 10th May and the invasion of Holland began later that morning. The next morning, the brigade was given orders to move to the area of Tunbridge Wells to defend against a threat of German invasion. No sooner had the battalion arrived among the oast-houses and sheds of Beltring Hop Farm near Paddocks Wood when new orders were given. The orders were to assemble the battalion, with one company from the 2nd Bn. Welsh Guards to make up for the men who had already left on leave, and head for Dover to embark for Holland on the afternoon of the 12th. They were to land at the Hook and make for The Hague to co-operate with the Dutch.

The battalion reached Dover the evening of the 12th and went straight from the train to the boats S.S. Canterbury and S.S. Maid of Orleans. The boats set sail at dark and the force was code-named Harpoon Force.

13th May 1940 the convoy reached the Hook as dawn broke. The battalion took defensive positions around the Hook to hold the village. Later that afternoon, orders were given to stay in the Hook and keep the road and port open rather than move on to The Hague. About midday, a fleet of long black cars arrived at the quay. An escort from one of the cars approached the adjutant and requested passage on one of His Majesty’s ships for Her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. The Queen and her entourage were given passage on H.M.S. Malcolm and made for England. Later that afternoon, the Dutch Government arrived in the Hook followed by the Diplomatic Corps. Closely following these two groups was a German air raid which killed 7 Guardsmen and wounded 23. The wounded were put on board ship with the Dutch Government and the battalion was given new orders. In light of the departure of the Queen and the Dutch Government, the battalion was to wait in the Hook for evacuation to England.

The next morning, another air raid claimed four Guardsmen killed and four wounded. Following the raid, H.M.S. Malcolm put into harbour and Colonel Haydon ordered the battalion to embark. "As each half-platoon of the Irish Guards was detailed," wrote an officer of the destroyer H.M.S. Whitshed, "they marched down the jetty and on board as if they were parading in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. It was grand to watch them."

At ten o’clock that night, the battalion landed at Dover. The next day they returned to Old Dean Camp to the cheers of the Welsh Guards for a rest. Their rest lasted six days before their next adventure. Boulogne.

2nd Bn. Irish Guards, Hook of Holland and Boulogne: 13 to 24 May 1940

Composition of 2nd Bn. Irish Guards
Boulogne, France May 1940

Lieut.-Colonel J. C. Haydon, O.B.E., Commanding Officer.
Major J. F. Ross, Second-in-Command.
Captain H. S. Phillpotts, Adjutant.
Strength of Companies
Headquarter Company, 257 men.
No. 1 Company, 100 men.
No. 2 Company, 111 men.
No. 3 Company, 104 men.
No. 4 Company, 107 men.
Total (including attached) - 679 men.
Casualties (as known on the return to England).
Known killed in action ... ... ... 2
Died of wounds ... ... ... ... 1
Known wounded ... ... ... ... 13
Believed to be in Hospital ... ... ... 11
Missing ... ... ... ... ... 174
Total ... ... 5 Officers and 196 Other Ranks.

2nd Bn. Irish Guards in Boulogne, France 1940

22nd May 1940, the 2nd Bn. Irish Guards had just returned from a night exercise six days after their Hook of Holland expedition when orders were received to move again. The Germans were racing though France and the 20th Guards Brigade was needed to guard the Channel ports. They were to leave immediately for Dover and from there to Boulogne, France.

When the 2nd Bn. arrived at Dover, word was received that German tanks had been sighted two miles south of Boulogne. The only anti-tank weapons the battalion had were one platoon of four 2-pounder anti-tank guns. The battalion HQ loaded onto the destroyer H.M.S. Whitshed and the rest of the battalion loaded onto the Queen of the Channel minus No. 1 Company, the mortar platoon, the Pioneer platoon and some heavy equipment which had to wait for Mona’s Star. The convoy sailed just before dawn with No. 1 Company aboard Mona’s Star following an hour later.

At half-past six on the morning of the 22nd May, the battalion berthed at Boulogne. It was raining heavily and the Guardsman lined the decks wearing their long oil-skin gas-capes. Hordes of panic-stricken refugees waited on the dock ready to rush the ship. Guardsmen with fixed bayonets had to clear a path through the mob so that the battalion could disembark.

Colonel Haydon and the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Bn. Welsh Guards walked around the perimeter of the town to pick defensive positions. The Irish Guards were ordered to hold the right half, the one converging the southern and western entrances to Boulogne. The Colonel sent back word of this and the battalion marched single file through mobs of people to their assigned positions. The companies occupied a wide semi-circle of over two miles from Outreau to the sea on the west side of town. [See Map] There was still no sign of No. 1 Company. By one o’clock, the battalion was in position and waiting for contact with the Germans. At two o’clock, No. 1 Company arrived and made for their assigned positions. At three o’clock, No. 1 Company arrived at Outreau along with the first Germans.

The initial German strength was light but by half-past five, they had brought up field guns and were shelling No. 1 Company. A German assault upon No. 1 Company followed closely upon the shelling and the leading German tank was promptly knocked out by one of the four anti-tank guns. The infantry continued and were not stopped until they had worked in between the forward left-hand platoon and the rest of No. 1 Company. A half-hour later, No. 1 Company was attacked again by aeroplanes and infantry which was again repulsed. The Germans then withdrew in order to bring up more heavy guns and fresh infantry. In two hours they shelled the entire battalion front and under cover of darkness attacked No. 1 Company again. The Germans got around behind the left-hand forward platoon so they were forced to withdraw. The rest of the company held off the Germans. [See related Story "Germans against the Irish Guards"] From here, the Germans waited for dawn and the arrival of their tanks for another attack. With all the companies in the line and no reserves, the battalion had no hope of regaining the lost positions and waited for the German attack.

At half-past seven the following morning, the Germans attacked. This time, the frontage of the attack covered No. 1 Company along with part of No. 4 Company. With tank support, the Germans were able to completely surround one platoon of No. 1 Company so they were ordered to fall back along with No. 4 Company. No. 1 and No. 4 Companies both suffered heavily in this attack. Of the 107 men of No. 4 Company who landed in Boulogne, only 19 returned and of No. 1 Company only 40 returned. The battalion now had only two and a half companies left. At half-past ten, Colonel Haydon ordered the battalion to fall back behind the rail line. [See Map] The battalion held these positions for another two hours. At one o’clock, the battalion withdrew further towards the centre of town. After another hour the shelling stopped. Five tanks were seen coming down the road being led by a civilian. Three of the tanks continued on past the battalion while the other two stopped in front of houses occupied by the battalion. A civilian entered the back of the house and showed a French uniform from under his overcoat. He then indicated that the tank outside was French. Without another word, the "Frenchman" exited out the way he came as the tank out front turned its gun on the house and occupants. The Guardsmen inside had just enough time to duck before the first shell struck the house. Within a few minutes, the firing stopped and all the tanks withdrew. They were possibly fearing an ambush.

At three o’clock, a dispatch rider brought Colonel Haydon orders to evacuate Boulogne. The battalion withdrew to the harbour and barricaded the streets around it. At about half-past four the destroyer H.M.S. Whitshed came alongside the quay as the Germans closed in on the harbour area. With the Irish Guards and a Royal Navy landing party giving cover, many soldiers and wounded were evacuated onto the boats in the harbour. [See related story "Defence of Boulogne."] At seven o’clock, one last attack was put in by the Germans as Stukas dived from above. This attack was also held off. One burly Guardsman who made it aboard the Whitshed climbed to the bridge and left a bottle of champagne saying "Thanks for the double ride." H.M.S. Whitshed afterwards presented her bridge-emblem to the 2nd Bn. as a memento of this day.

At eight o’clock orders were given to evacuate Boulogne immediately. The Irish Guards moved to the quayside. They were to be the last to leave. At half-past nine, with the Germans firing all the time, the last Bren Gun section ran for the boats as tanks rumbled up to the quayside to duel with the guns of the destroyers pulling away.

The battalion reached Dover at midnight and entrained reaching Tweseldown Camp at half-past six on the morning of the 24th May. This last adventure lasted just two days. Their next taste of combat would be in tanks.

A German motor-cycle platoon commander published an account of the action in Boulogne, France against the 2nd Bn. Irish Guards, from his point of view, in the Army magazine Die Militarwoche. "After Abbeville had fallen," he wrote, "the German armoured formations pushed on towards Boulogne. Late in the afternoon we were just outside Boulogne, in Outreau. The tanks were leading; behind came the motor-cyclists. Suddenly the advance halted. From ahead came a lively sound of fighting, the sharp bark of our 20-mm. guns (those mounted on the German tanks Pz. Kw. II) and furious machine-gun fire from our tanks. In between there were dull, heavy thuds. An enemy anti-tank gun? Then a dispatch rider dashed up. ‘Motor-cyclists forward.’ In a flash we had dismounted and were worming our way forward on both sides of the houses. Fifteen yards ahead the road bent sharply to the left. There stood two of our own tanks, hit by the enemy anti-tank gun. A tank lieutenant explained the situation. Round the bend were two anti-tank guns which covered the whole road and were in positions covered from direct fire. Our job is to capture these guns, so that the advance may go on. And we must do it, for every minute will save us casualties.

"The Company Commander decides to put in one platoon on the left of the road and one on the right, and take the enemy position from both sides at once. Brief instructions are enough, and the men prepare for action.

"No. 3 Platoon vanished into the houses to the right, and for us the job begins with getting through a thick hedge. In two minutes we have got through, one by one; and we deploy for an attack. We creep unseen almost to the ridge - just in time to see the flash of a shot from the enemy position. Did that one catch No. 3 Platoon which had a shorter journey than we? Section No. 1 gets its machine-gun into position and fires a burst. At that instant hell is let loose. The houses ahead of us and the little wood are occupied by the enemy. Burst after burst of machine-gun fire comes whipping into the long green grass. We crouch in the thorns and nettles while the bullets whistle over us. Where are the bastards? We can’t find where the shots are coming from. There must be regular fortifications, as if that a direct attack on the enemy anti-tank guns is impossible.

"Now it has grown dark. Every attempt to get within grenade-throwing distance of the enemy fails because of his defensive fire. Corporal B. is killed in trying to reach the enemy machine-gun. Shot in the head. The enemy is shooting too damned well. We managed twice more to get in a series of shots at the anti-tank position, when suddenly we hear several sharp explosions and shouting. Then all is quiet. I shout across to find out if No. 3 Platoon has reached the objective. Sergeant H. replies that it has been taken. The enemy’s left flank was weakly protected, but in one sector he had dug strong defences. No. 3 Platoon had managed to get unseen within grenade-throwing distance and to capture the two anti-tank guns. In doing so, 2/Lieutenant B. was severely wounded."

A naval officer from the destroyer H.M.S. Whitshed, wrote an account of the evacuation of Boulogne in 1940 in Blackwood’s Magazine. "The machine-gun fire sounded very close and as the destroyer, going into action, cleared a long shed on the quay, the Captain suddenly saw what was going on. A section of Irish Guards were engaging with rifle-fire an enemy machine-gun post established in a warehouse, as coolly and methodically as if they had been on the practice ranges. ‘Tell the foremost guns to open fire’ the Captain yelled. The guns swung round and with a crash two 4.7 H.E. shells tore into the building and blew it to the skies. Meanwhile as the German infantry now passed ahead of their tanks and infiltrated closer and closer to the quays, the fine discipline of the Guards earned the awed open-mouthed respect of all. Watching them in perfect order, moving exactly together, engaging target after target as though on parade ground drill, it was difficult to realise that this was the grim reality of battle. They were truly magnificent, and no sailor who saw them could ever forget the feeling of pride he experienced." Naval landing parties joined the Battalion. Seamen and Guardsmen fought side by side till the destroyers received the signal that Boulogne was to be evacuated entirely. Guardsman Griffiths joined the naval platoon commanded by a Lieutenant James, R.N. The report reads: "He told the naval officer that he had found an abandoned Bren gun and would like to use it as he was sure he could work it. The naval officer accepted his offer, but before it could be put into force, the naval platoons were ordered to retire. It was then that Griffiths asked the naval officer if he might remain and give what cover he could to the retiring platoons. The last seen of Griffiths was his very gallant and efficient volume of fire pouring into large numbers of approaching German infantry. It was undoubtedly due to Griffiths that the naval platoons were able to withdraw without loss, although one or two casualties were suffered by wounding."

The Irish Guards in England from the fall of Dunkirk in 1940 to the invasion of French North Africa in 1943

In June 1940, the Irish Guards consisted of three battalions. 1st Battalion in the 24th Guards Brigade was at Northwood. 2nd Battalion in the 22nd Guards Brigade was at Woking. The third battalion was a training battalion at Hobbs Barracks, Lingfield.

The 24th and 22nd Guards Brigades were held in reserve around London to counter any German invasion. In July, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel The Viscount Gough, the Training Battalion moved to Dover as part of the garrison for three months. From here they watched the Battle of Britain as it took place above them. The war diary records two successes from low-flying German aeroplanes: "Major Gordon-Watson shot down a Messerschmitt 109 on 31st August, and the guns of No. 3 Company a Dornier 17 bomber on 29th September." The Germans had hauled the big guns from the Maginot Line to the coast and shelled Channel convoys and Dover. The time lag between the flash of the guns in France and the explosion in Dover was 55 seconds.

By October, recruits had accumulated at Hobbs Barracks, Lingfield to over 1,200 men. From these recruits, 3rd Battalion was formed. In November, the Training Battalion in Dover moved to Northwood to relieve 1st Battalion. In Northwood, they were given the new name of "The Holding Companies," under the command of Major J.O.E. Vandeleur. Lieut.-Colonel The Viscount Gough returned to Lingfield and the companies there became the Training Battalion. The Training Battalion continued to supply men to the Holding Companies until February 1941, when they were large enough to be a battalion.

In June 1941, the Guards Armoured Division was formed. The division would consist of 5th Guards Armoured Brigade and the 32nd Guards Brigade. On the 16th September 1941, the 2nd Battalion left Woking for Fonthill Gifford Camp on the Edge of Salisbury Plain to train with their new tanks.

In November 1942, 1st Battalion was mobilised with the 24th Guards Brigade and moved to Ayrshire to become part of the 1st Division. At the end of February 1943, 1st Battalion sailed for North Africa under the command of Lieut.-Colonel C.A. Montague-Douglas-Scott. From this point on, the 3rd Battalion was responsible for producing the replacements to the 1st Battalion. In the next six months, 26 officers and 600 men were sent to 1st Battalion. In July 1943, the 3rd Battalion was ordered to send its best-trained company to the 4th Battalion Scots Guards in the Guards Armoured Division.

In October 1943, 3rd Battalion was ordered to Malton in Yorkshire to take the place of the 4th Battalion Scots Guards, who were to be disbanded. With 1st Battalion being sent back to England in April 1944 the 3rd Battalion could form more companies. By June of 1944 the 3rd Battalion had three companies of Irish Guards and "X" company Scots Guards.

Medjez el Bab

1st Battalion sailed from Greenock for North Africa on 28th February 1943 aboard the P. & O. liner Strathmore. On 8th March, they sailed uneventfully through the Straits of Gibralter. It was then announced that their destination was Algiers. Pamphlets titled "Notes for Troops proceeding to North Africa" were issued and from these the Guardsmen learned to wash their hands before eating with an Arab and to leave scraps on the plate for the women in the kitchen.

On 9th March the convoy containing Strathmore turned into Algiers Bay. At 6pm the ship docked at Algiers. In the midst of torrential rains and an air raid, the Battalion disembarked and marched 12 miles to their camp at Sidi Moussa. For the next 3 days they waited in misery. The only person who gained from the visit was Pipe-Major Phair who collected reeds for his pipes. Algerian reeds are said to be the best in the world.

On 13th March the Battalion left Sidi Moussa with orders from the Commanding Officer to the effect that they were Guardsmen, and all clothing and equipment will be in good order for the march. They marched back to Algiers for the boat ride to Bône aboard the Royal Ulsterman, a mailboat from the Glasgow-Belfast service. With the Irish Guards in the Brigade were the 1st Scots Guards and the 5th Grenadier Guards who followed on other boats.

Just before reaching Bône, three Italian torpedo planes attacked the convoy and all guns on deck opened up including the Battalion’s Bren guns. Captain Mungo Park was hopping with excitement, his borrowed Bren bouncing on the rail, and R.S.M. Peilow shouting "Another magazine for the Adjutant!" The aeroplanes dropped their torpedoes and veered off. In the silence which followed Captain George Ismay announced clearly, "There is a torpedo going to hit us. It is just like the films." And so it was. There was the long white wave streaking towards the ship, and soon we could see the torpedo itself, a small one. "It will hit us just beneath where we’re standing," continued Captain Ismay. Nobody moved. "It’s missed!" Still nobody moved; then slowly they began to collect magazines and get ready to disembark.

Here in Bône, the Battalion stayed in "Cardiff Camp" until the day after St. Patrick’s Day. (See related story about St. Patrick’s Day Celebration.) In troop-carrying lorries, the Battalion travelled to what was to be their reserve camp. At Ain Dram, an agitated staff officer from H.Q., First Army stopped the convoy. The Germans had attacked again and Béja was in danger. The Battalion rushed forward and was sent into the line as they were carrying rifles, Brens, and a hundred rounds.

At 2am in the pouring rain the R.A.S.C. lorries dumped the Battalion in a cemetery in

Béja which was part of the front line. The next day, with more reorganising, the Brigade was ordered to leave the Grenadiers where they were and the Irish and Scots were to move to Medjez El Bab. From here they were to take over some hills from the Buffs at Diar el Hammar in Medjerda Valley, nicknamed "Happy Valley" by the guardsmen. The next morning, the 20th March, brought the first casualties from some German shells.

By night the Battalion occupied the forward slope; by day, it could be held by the Bren gunners alone while the remainder took a rest. Across the valley, at the foot of the hill, rose two features. To the left was Recce Ridge and to the right was the fortress village of Chaouach. Between them was a sugar loaf. Occupying these positions was the 756 (Edelweiss) Mountain Regiment.

Recce Ridge

As of 22nd March 1943, the 24th Guards Brigade consisted of the Scots and Irish Guards and a line battalion. After a week’s worth of patrols to Recce Ridge, an attack was to be carried out by No 2 Company alone. On 30th March No 2 Company set out for Recce Ridge. At 5am, they neared the top of Recce Ridge and firing started. At 8:30 the firing died off and the Battalion waited for survivors. Only five wounded men returned. Two more unwounded men returned later that night. Seven out of 103 officers and men were left.

On 7th April, about 90 new reinforcements from Algiers formed a new No 2 Company. Just as they arrived, they watched from their positions as the 11th Brigade of the 78th Division took Recce Ridge. The Germans withdrew to Longstop and the Battalion moved forward and waited another 10 days.

St. Patrick’s Day 1943 with the 1st Battalion in North Africa

The Battalion did not mind much when it went into theline, but it did want to know where it was going to be on the 17th of March. "Probably still here," was all Brigadier Colvin could say, but that was good enough. shamrock had been flown out to General Alexander in Algiers and was brought to Bône by his A.D.C., Captain Sir Rupert Clarke. Colonel Scott asked the Brigadier to present the shamrock, and invited to lunch the officers of the cruiser Aurora, then lying in the bay. The Adjutant and Sergeant-Major chose a flat stretch of ground and put the Battalion through a few rehearsals. The Quartermaster descended on the Naafi in Bône and extracted from it extraordinary supplies of bee, chocolate and cigarettes. His method was simple. He walked into the dump and demanded them. The head clerk looked as if he was going to ask a question, but the Quartermaster said firmly, "It’s St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow, you hadn’t forgotten had you?" Captain John and Lieutenant Desmond FitzGerald were went out to buy local produce. They inspected and rejected pigs which resembled greyhounds, very active and bad-tempered beasts, and loathsome old goats, but bought two huge casks - Bordelaises - of sweet red wine. The wine was recommended by some Zouaves, who fixed a fair price for it, and also gave the Battalion two sheep, the property, so they said, of the French Republic. In return they accepted an invitation to the Sergeants’ Mess party. To be on the safe sid ethe Sergeants held their party on the evening of the 16th. It was in the true style - beer, shiskey, smoke and singing. There was wine for those who wanted it, but the Sergeants urged their guests not to touch such dangerous stuff. The Zouaves did not need urging; they happily drank much more dangerous mixtures and smiled in bewilderment at the rebel songs and the repeated references to General Hoche and ‘98, the Irish Brigade, Kevin Barry and Terence MacSweeney. They insisted on singing a song they has specially practised in honour of the glorious Irish Guards, "Ce n’est qu’un au revoir, mon vieux." It was "Auld Lang Syne" in French, but even the Scots Guards present said nothing about it and joined the applause. The singing died down about midnight, and the bullfrogs in the marshes took over from the Sergeants.

The Battalion paraded on St. Patrick’s Day in the morning. "It makes one proud to see them," wrote Brigadier Colvin. "An American liaison officer with us was so moved when the Battalion marched past that he blubbed freely." With the shamrock General Alexander sent a message from himself: "Welcome to the Micks. Now we’ll get cracking."

The Irish Guards in North Africa: 22 April 1943 - 4 December 1944

22 April 1943: Attack for Tunis starts for 1st Army. The infantry, to make an opening for the tanks, were to attack the Germans in front of Medjez; V Corps attacking with 1st Division in centre; 1st Division attacking with 24th Guards Brigade on right of 2nd Brigade; 24th Guards Brigade attacking with 1st Scots Guards on right, 5th Grenadier Guards on left, and 1st Irish Guards in reserve.

In preparation for the attack, a system of gullies called Tella Sefra in front of Medjez and Grenadier Hill were to be cleared. On 18th April No 3 Coy joined the 5th Grenadiers to clear the gullies. The attack would start on the 20th at night.

On the night of the 20th the Herman Goering Division launched a spoiling attack isolating the 5th Grenadiers along with No 3 Coy. The Irish Guards were ordered to move to Djebel Touila hill to cover Medjez. Touila Hill lay to the right of Grenadier Hill. Nos 1 and 4 companies took positions on the hill and No 2 Coy at its foot with the orders "If you see a German, shoot him." Churchill tanks were brought into position on the hill to cover the Grenadiers and No 3 Coy. At dawn on the 21st, the Germans attacked the Grenadiers and were pushed back with heavy losses to their original lines thanks to the Churchills. In the end, the Germans succeeded in postponing the Divisions attack by only 1 day.

At midnight on 22nd/23rd April the attack started as was planned before the German spoiling attack. The attack started off well with the Grenadiers with No 3 Coy reaching the village of Crichet el Oued and the Scots Guards in an open field at the foot of some hills. The Scots Guards needed help to get into the hills so Colonel Scott sent No 1 Coy to help. The remainder of the Battalion moved out of the gullies and onto the plains. Out on the plains, the Battalion experienced the first hot summer day that season. The men discarded their jackets and from then on fought in their shirt-sleeves. No 3 Coy had by this time rejoined the Battalion.

At half past eleven, orders were received to attack two hills called 151 and 187 that night at 2:00 am. Nos 1 and 4 companies were chosen for the attack which was to start from the Scots Guards lines. (See Map on page *********) Not knowing where points 151 and 187 were and having a company of Scots Guards between them on point 145 who did not know they were coming, it was decided to postpone the attack.

25th April, Easter Sunday, the Battalion moved through the Scots Guards lines and their position on hill 145. At 5:00 am on the 26th the attack started. The attack was a success with no casualties. Two complete German sections were captured. By daylight, Nos 1 and 4 companies were in position on hill 187, No 2 Coy on hill 151 with No 3 coy behind them, and Bn HQ between 151 and 145. With daylight came the German artillery fire from 88mm guns which could see both sides of hill 187. Thirty men were killed this day from the deadly German fire.

The Battalion could see Germans firing on them from point 212 across the valley so No 4 Coy was sent out that night to attack it and to reconnoitre for future attacks on the "Bou."

No 4 Coy destroyed the observation post on 212 and also brought back prisoners. From this action, it was decided that a night attack on the "Bou" would be easy so an attack was planned for the next night at 6.30pm The objectives would be Hills 212, 214, 181, and 128. The Scots Guards were given 226 and the Grenadiers were given 171 and 154. No 3 Coy and No 2 Coy were to take Hill 128. No 4 Coy were to take Hill 214 and No 1 Coy Hill 181.

With no cover between the positions, Col Scott decided to attack in the cover of the olive groves to the east of their current positions. At midday, the Battalion learned that the start time had been moved forward to 4pm. This meant the attack would be in broad daylight in the heat of the afternoon.

The "Bou"

Just behind Hill 151 the Battalion assembled for the attack. In the blazing sun, No 3 Coy started across the open plain towards the olive grove in single file. The rest of the Battalion followed. Before the first man reached the olive grove, the Germans opened fire. In the words of one guardsman, "They threw everything but their cap-badges at us." Losses were mounting at a terrific rate. The olive grove was a registered German target and their fire was dead on. By this time, Nos 2, 3, and 4 Companies each had only one officer left. HQ Coy had just reached the edge of the olive grove when RSM Peilow was killed by a shell that completely obliterated him and the tree he sheltered behind.

By six o’clock, No 4 Coy and No 1 Coy were pinned 400 yards in from of the first olive grove and No 2 Coy and No 3 Coy were fighting in the second. As soon as No 4 Coy emerged into the open again Lieutenant Attlee, the only surviving officer, and CSM Kiely were wounded. Sergeant Lynch laid Lieutenant Attlee in a hole, stood to attention, saluted, and asked "Leave to carry on, sir." By this time No 4 Coy and No 1 Coy joined to form one company. It was decided to wait until dark to press the attack.

After dark No 1 Coy plodded up the hill toward point 212 with fixed bayonets. The Germans withdrew before they reached the point. The rest of the Battalion joined No 1 Coy at the top. 173 men were left in the Battalion. The rest lay down in the grass or in the olive groves calling to stretcher bearers, or silent, and marked only by a rifle butt silhouetted in the glow of burning Arab huts.

While the Battalion dug in, Father Brookes with his black thorn stick and three German prisoners beat the grass looking for the fallen. At dawn, the Germans had cut the Battalion off from support. Of the 173 men on Hill 212, only 5 were officers and only 1 senior NCO. They had 20 boxes of .303, three or four sacks of bread and bully, and a dozen jerricans of water and tea. No 1 Coy held point 212, Nos 2 and 3 held point 214, and No 4 and HQ the saddle between.

Brigade HQ now gave Col Scott a squadron of the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment and three companies of the North Staffordshire Regiment. With these new troops, they fortified points 151 and 187 to support the Irish Guards across the gap. At 2 o’clock, the Germans attacked through the Gabgab Gap with tanks and infantry further cutting off Hill 212. The Germans then unsuccessfully attacked Hill 212 and then Hill 187. Every attempt was made to supply Hill 212 and then Hill 187. Every attempt to supply Hill 212 had to run the gauntlet of Tiger tanks in the gap.

Wednesday, 28th April: At 3pm the Germans put in their first attack against Hill 214. Nos 3 and 4 Companies (what was left of them) halted the Germans half way up. No 1 Coy attacked their flank and the Germans fled.

Although under continuous shell fire and machine gun fire and on half a water bottle of water a day, morale was high. As long as water and ammo held out, they felt they could also. At 7:00 pm, the next attack came. This time, the Germans reached point 214. A bayonet charge forced them off. At the critical moment, a 3in mortar was recovered and used which forced the Germans to retire from the Hill completely. During this attack, a troop of the Reconnaissance Regiment dashed across the Gabgab Gap and ditched their carriers and ran up the slope to point 212. They were pursued by the Germans and only a handful reached the top.

Thursday, 29th April: At dawn the CQMS made it through with some badly needed ammo and cigarettes. At 9:00 am, the Germans formed up for another attack. As they were assembling below hill 212, L/Cpl Kenneally decided it was time to attack with his Bren gun. He ran down the slope firing at the hip and broke up the attack. No 1 Coy followed to finish the job. No 1 Coy then moved to point 214 to foil that half of the attack. A few minutes later, another German attack was stopped. This time, they left their slit trenches and chased them down. They made it as far as point 181 where they captured a German machine gun post. This was brought back as they didn’t have enough men to hold 181. Later that afternoon a couple of German tanks worked their way half way up the hill to the rear of the positions. Nothing could be done about them.

Friday, 30th April: At dawn, two more carriers arrived with badly needed rations and ammunition. At 11:00 am, the Germans made their last and biggest attempt at the hill. The German infantry came up in exactly the same way as before, but in greater numbers and with greater persistence. We noticed a higher percentage of officers than we had ever seen with any troops - half were in front leading (these were easily picked off) and half were behind, driving on their troops (these were harder to get at). The assault on 212 was broken up by Lance-Corporal Kenneally and Sergeant Salt before it got under way. In the words of the citation awarding him the Victoria Cross: "Lance-Corporal John Patrick Kenneally repeated his remarkable exploit on the morning of the 30th April 1943, when, accompanied by a sergeant of the Reconnaissance Corps, he again charged the enemy forming up for an assault. This time he so harassed the enemy, inflicting many casualties, that this projected attack was frustrated. The enemy’s strength was again about one company. It was only when he was noticed hopping from one position to another further to the left in order to support another company (No 4), carrying his gun in one hand and leaning on a Guardsman (Cafferty) with the other, that it was discovered that he had been wounded. He refused to give up his Bren gun, claiming that he was the only one who understood that gun, and continued to fight all day with great courage, devotion to duty and disregard for his own safety . . . . His extraordinary gallantry in attacking single-handed a massed body of the enemy and breaking up an attack on two occasions was an achievement that can seldom have been equalled."

The Germans actually made it to point 214 again. Two sections were overrun. One escaped 20 minutes later, the other escaped in Tunis. No 3 and No 4 Coy counter attacked shouting "Up the Micks!" They drove the Germans from the hill. Later that day, the Grenadiers cleared the plain behind the hill and a company of Gordons joined them. At 3:00 am on 1st May the Irish Guards were relieved. Only 80 men were left.

A great white cross now stands on Hill 212. "To the memory of the Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Guardsmen of the 1st Bn. Irish Guards who died on and around this hill April 27th-30th, 1943. Quis separabit?" Who indeed?

On 3rd May the Battalion moved across the banks of the Medjerda where the available rifleman formed one company of 110 men. The Battalion also received khaki drill for the first time. On 13 May the Battalion entered Tunis.

Published by Authority

Registered as a newspaper

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to:-

Tunis

On 20th May, 60 picked Irish Guardsmen took part in the victory parade. In June the Battalion found the guard of honour for His Majesty the King. The King awarded medals to the surviving medalists.

On 29th November they were ordered to move for Italy. Next day they arrived in muddy Bizerta. On 4th December the Battalion loaded aboard Llangibby Castle for the trip to Italy. Next day the convoy sailed for Taranto.

The Irish Guards In Italy 1943-1944

The Llangibby Castle, carrying the Irish Guards, docked in Taranto Italy on 7th December 1943. To the wail of the Irish Guards pipers playing "St. Patrick’s Day," the Battalion marched into Italy to their staging camp.

The Anzio Landing

Battalion H.Q. Staff’s Escape

Enemy Wiped Out

29 January – 12 February 1944
The Battalion's Night Attack
29-30 January 1944

The German Night Attack
3^rd February 1944

The Caves
4-12 February 1944

Alsatian Spy

Last Action of No 4 Company
6-9 February 1944

The Last Action of No 1 Company
7-8 February 1944

The Lake
2 and 3 Companies
13-21 February 1944

The Gullies
2 and 3 Companies
21-25 February 1944

1^st Bn Irish Guards at Anzio
The End
February 25 1944 - 22 April 1944

North-West Europe
April 1944-14 July 1944

The 2nd (Armoured) Battalion Irish Guards

   In early April the 2nd Bn was moved to a tented camp in the Yorkshire wolds.  Near the end of April, they were stripped of their peace-time accoutraments and sent sout to Brighton.  Here, new batches of tanks arrived which had to be waterproofed up to their rings.  By 1st June, the Battalion was ready and waterproof.

   While awating their turn to cross the channel, infantry had priority over tanks, they managed to hold a cricket match beating the 2nd Welsh Guards in the process.

   On 16 June, orders were given to move but stormy weather prevented leaving the staging area.  Finally, on 1st July 1944, the Battalion landed at Arromanches and de-waterproffed.  The Battalion then advanced inland to St. Martin des Besaces outside of Bayeux to wait again.  14th July ended the waiting with the first conferance for Operation "Goodwood."

     The 3rd Bn moved with the 2nd from Yorkshire to Eastbourne but with only 3 companies.  The fourth company was made up from X Company Scots Guards.  This was due to the suppling of the 1st Bn with recruits.  The Battalion left Eastbourne on the 16th and embarked on the Llangibby Castle at Southampton on the 20th.  The Battalion landed at Arromanches on the 23rd after 3 rough days at sea.  They then arrived at Bayeux on the 25th June.  Here they remained for another 2 days before moving to La Gaule and La Bayude farm where they first face the Germans on the 28th June 1944. 

   Taking the salient as a theatre, Colonel Vandeleur described the seating in this way.  "The 3rd Battalion were in the dress circle, that is to say the village of Cheux was in the stalls with its farthest edge in the battle.  The Battalion had its left-hand company - 'X' Company, Scots Guards - in the corner seats in contact with the enemy on Capriquet aerodrome.  The remainder of the Battalion was tucked into the back seats of the dress circle behind the Welsh Guards in Cheux.  The Coldstream Gaurds, with some rather cheap seats int he circle (outside edge), were holding the village of St. Morcellet."

   Here the Battalion stayed.  Patrolling by night, being shelled by day.  On the 4th July, they watched a Canadian attack on the nearby Capriquet aerodrome.  On 11 July the 2nd Battalion moved back to St. Martin des Entrees with the rest of the Guards Armoured Division and waited for Operation "Goodwood."