Military History | World War II
Swaab - Field of Fire: Diary of a Gunner Officer

Field of Fire

Posted 12 Feb 2006

Jack Swaab (2005) was a Gunner Officer with the 51st Highland Division from 3 Jan 1943 to the end of World War II. He fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and NW Europe. His book is literally his personal diary. It is interesting to read to get an idea what was on the mind of a literate combat solider, although there are few detailed accounts of action.

Organisation

The 8th Army at EL ALAMEIN, October 1942 gives the Orbat of the 51st Highland Division (tweaked slightly based on Swaab, 2005): :

51ST (Highland) INFANTRY DIVISION

51 Recce Battalion
1/7 Bn Middlesex Regiment (machine gun bn)
126 Field Regiment RA
127 Field Regiment RA
128 Field Regiment RA
61 Anti-tank Regiment RA
40 LAA Regiment RA
274 Field Company RE
275 Field Company RE
276 Field Company RE
239 Field Park Company RE
51 Highland Division Signals

51st Highland

152 Infantry Brigade

2 Bn Seaforth Highlanders
5 Bn Seaforth Highlanders
5 Bn Cameron Highlanders

153 Infantry Brigade

5 Bn Black Watch
1 Bn Gordon Highlanders
4/7 Bn Gordon Highlanders

154 Infantry Brigade

1 Bn Black Watch
7 Bn Black Watch
7 Bn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

Swaab (2005) served in 491 Battery within 127 Field Regiment RA. From Sep 1944 he was a troop commander and also a Forward Observation Officer attached to 5 Bn Black Watch within 153 Infantry Brigade.

Hubermont (Bastogne Front)

7 Jan 1945

153 Infantry Brigade, 51 Highland Division, attempted to get 116 Panzer Division off some high ground (Swaab, 2005).

12 Jan 1945

As 5 Bn Black Watch advanced from Wavizy with A company in the lead (Swaab, 2005). A Recce armoured car was was knocked out by ample mines around. The battalion then ran into a German force with 140 men, 2 Panthers, spandaus, and a mortar team positioned in some farm buildings (Swaab, says a 50mm but this is unlikely at that date). A Company and Swaab were pinned down so three Allied tanks came up in support, but one was knocked out, another had a jammed gun and engine failure, and the third failed to arrive. Swaab managed to call in fire from 25 pounders and mediums which suppressed the defenders, and allowed B Company to flank them, causing the Germans to retreat.

13 Jan 1945

?? TODO ?? more to come

14 Jan 1945

Source

The 8th Army at EL ALAMEIN, October 1942

Swaab, J. (2005). Field of Fire: Diary of a Gunner Officer. Sutton.

War Diary of the 5/7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, December 1942 - April 1943.

Haven't used this, as the period doesn't match up to interesting bits from Swaab's diary, but worth looking at some time.