[ Sir A. D. Campbell, Chief Engineer, 9 Corps. ] Copy of 'SECRET' report titled 'C.E.'s Notes on 9 Corps Operations in TUNISIA April-May 1943'. With maps.

Author: 
Sir Alexander Douglas Campbell (1899-1980), Chief Engineer, 9 Corps [ British First Army, Tunisia Campaign [ Battle of Tunisia; Run for Tunis ] 1942-1943, in the Second World War; North Africa ]
Publication details: 
'COPY No. 8'. 'FIELD. | 18 May 43'. [ 1943 ]
£800.00
SKU: 17341

[2] + 28pp., 8vo. In buff card folder. In fair condition, with light signs of age and wear, and slight rust staining from the metal tips of the ties used to attach the pages to the covers. Both the folder and title-page number the copy '8' in blue pencil. With five fold-out maps, the first three picked out in colours, titled: 'Battle of Fondouk', 'Battles of Goubellat Plain & Tunis', 'Later Phase of Battle of Tunis', 'Trace showing principal German Minefields Bou Arada - Medjez el Bab - Tunis' and 'Trace showing typical German Minefield encountered'. Duplicated document, divided in the index into three sections: 'General' ('General Introduction', 'General Account of 9 Corps Operations' and 'General Training Points'), 'Engineer Tasks' ('Mine Warfare', 'Route Maintenance', 'Water Supply', 'Bridging and Diversions', 'Stores Supply' and 'Miscellaneous') and 'Engineer Establishments' ('General', 'C.E.'s Establishment', 'C.R.E.'s' and 'Unit'). A detailed report, dealing with topics ranging from 'Minefield Marking' to 'German Demolition Equipment'. In his introduction Campbell explains that the first part includes 'a general summary of 9 Corps operations in TUNISIA', which 'summarises the general training lessons', and that the second part 'deals in more detail with the lessons learnt in the various phases of engineer operations'. The third part 'contains recommendations for modification of engineer establishments in the light of 9 Corps experience of rapidly moving operations'. Campbell begins his 'General Account': 'H.Q. 9 Corps sailed from the U.K. for N. AFRICA on 24th Feb., and, having collected its vehicles in ALGIERS, concentrated at EL KSAR on 25th March. 6 Armd. Div. came under command from that date and 46 Div. was expected to do so as soon as it could be withdrawn from the line. | On 4 April Corps H.Q. & Corps Tps. moved to SBIBA & 6 Armd. Div. to the FOREST OF KESSERA in preparation for their part in the series of operations which was to end less than six weeks later in the capture of TUNIS and the capitulation of the Axis forces in N. AFRICA. | During these weeks, 9 Corps fought three battles [Battle of Fondouk-Kairouan; Battle of Goubellat-Kournine; Battle of Tunis] on different sectors of the front & moved its H.Q. 17 times, covering a distance of over 470 miles.' Five full-page tables as appendices: 'Details of Leading of Standard 15 cwt. Water Truck', 'Summary of Engineer Stores issued by 258 Corps Fd Pk Coy R.E. during the TUNISIAN Operation', 'Typical Loadings of Mobile Reserve Stores Vehicles in Corps and Divs', 'C.E. Branch of a Corps H.Q. | Suggested Modifications to L. 1398 & G. 1098 Equipt.' and 'Proposed new scale of tpt for Div Fd Pk Coy'.