At the start of March 1943, 2 LIR remained in their positions near to Stuka Ridge as the Irish Brigade continued mopping up the last vestiges of the German offensive forces in the area. By the middle of the month, the battalion was withdrawn from the line and proceeded to a rest camp, and to gain much needed reinforcements and undergo extensive battalion training. Lt-Col TPD (Pat) Scott took over command of 2 LIR on 18th March, with Major APK (Kevin) O’Connor as the new second in command.
By the end of the month, 1 LIR was about to make its long awaited departure from Iraq, with the battalion travelling from Kirkuk to Baghdad, for onward transportation to Egypt.
Key Dates:
15th March – 2 LIR is relieved by the 1st Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division.
18th March – Lt-Col TPD Scott replaces Lt-Col JB Jeffreys as commanding officer of 2 LIR.
30th March – 1 LIR transported by motor convoy from Kirkuk to Baghdad.
Roll of Honour, March 1943:
Sgt AT Gardiner 01/03/1943 Medjez-el-Bab Tunisia 2 LIR
Rifleman R Merley 02/03/1943 La Reunion, Algeria 2 LIR
Lt JL Baggs 07/03/1943 Medjez-el-Bab Tunisia 2 LIR