NEARLY Some units were formed specifically for 21 Army Group but were not in the event sent overseas. Some other units were available if required. CONTENTS Headquarters of a Super Heavy Regiment RA . War Establishment III/IIG/3. March 1944. Super Heavy Battery RA equipped with two 9.2” guns on railway mountings. War Establishment III/IIC/3. March 1944. Super Heavy Battery RA equipped with two 12” howitzers on railway mountings. War Establishment III/IIE/3. March 1944 Super Heavy Battery RA with one 18” howitzer on railway mounting. War Establishment III/288/2. March 1944. Super Heavy Regiment RA with two 12” howitzers, tractor drawn. War Establishment III/315/1. March 1944. Super Heavy Battery RA equipped with two 12” howitzers on railway mountings, with two 9.2” guns on railway mountings as alternative weapons. War Establishment III/316/1. March 1944. Super Heavy Battery RA equipped with two 9.2” guns on railway mountings. War Establishment XIV/522/1. September 1944. Super Heavy Battery RA with one 18” howitzer on railway mounting. War Establishment XIV/524/1. September 1944. Headquarters of a Mountaineer Battalion. War Establishment III/277/1. November 1943. Mountaineer Company . War Establishment III/278/1. November 1943. Heavy AA Battery (3” Mobile). War Establishment III/247/1. July 1943. SUPER HEAVY ARTILLERY Super Heavy Artillery up until 1944 was of World War I origin. Some of the actual guns were built after World War I had ended but the designs were intended to provide artillery which could operate without relying on the poor and overcrowded roads of the time. Railway guns were the ideal answer, although road mobile guns remained in service. Many of the Super Heavy guns went to France in 1940 and were left there since they were too difficult to evacuate. Those that remained in the UK were used for anti invasion duties. In early 1944 thought was being given to the provision of Super Heavy Artillery to support 21 Army Group in the Invasion of Europe. It was hoped that the US would be able to supply new equipment but this was proving slow to develop and produce. By March 1944 none were available for the US Army never mind the British. Thus a number of new War Establishment tables were produced in order to make the best use of Super Heavy guns that had so far been idle, although fully maintained and manned, in the UK. The reference for the Headquarters of a Super Heavy Regiment RA was War Establishment III/IIG/3. This was designed to command three or more Super Heavy Batteries. The reference for a Super Heavy Battery RA equipped with two 9.2” guns on railway mountings was War Establishment III/IIC/3. The reference for a Super Heavy Battery RA equipped with two 12” howitzers on railway mountings was War Establishment III/IIE/3. The reference for a Super Heavy Battery RA with one 18” howitzer on railway mounting was War Establishment III/288/2. The reference for a Super Heavy Regiment RA with two 12” howitzers, tractor drawn, was War Establishment III/315/1. This was only a cadre for training. Further personnel would be required if the battery was mobilised for overseas service. The reference for a Super Heavy Battery RA equipped with two 12” howitzers on railway mountings, with two 9.2” guns on railway mountings as alternative weapons was War Establishment III/316/1. This battery actually had two 12” howitzers but was equipped and trained to man the 9.2” guns if these were required instead. All the above had an effective date of 31 March 1944. In the event none of these units went overseas. In September 1944 a new set of War Establishments was produced. This had a larger organisation and included a Headquarters Super Heavy Group RA which included both rail mounted batteries and road mobile batteries. The road mobile batteries were now to be equipped with US super heavy guns and howitzers. The reference for the Headquarters of a Super Heavy Group RA was War Establishment XIV/520/1. The reference for the Headquarters of a Super Heavy Regiment RA was War Establishment XIV/521/1. The reference for a Super Heavy Battery RA equipped with two 9.2” guns on railway mountings was War Establishment XIV/522/1. The reference for a Super Heavy Battery RA (road mobile) was War Establishment XIV/523/1. The reference for a Super Heavy Battery RA with one 18” howitzer on railway mounting was War Establishment XIV/524/1. The prefix XIV would indicate that these units were formed on establishments designed to suit the needs of 21 Army Group. In the event only the Group Headquarters and two road mobile regiments went overseas. The rail mounted batteries were not required. Partly there was not much demand for super heavy artillery. Most of the demand could be met by tactical air formations. Although air strikes could be limited by bad weather they were almost free from enemy intervention. Partly rail guns were not used because the rail network of France and the Low Countries was already loaded to capacity. Headquarters of a Super Heavy Regiment RA Lieutenant Colonel, Officer Commanding Major, Second in Command Captain, Adjutant Subaltern duty serjeant (also responsible for Q duties) 2 X bombardier 2 X lance bombardier 12 X gunner 10 X tradesmen listed below Total 31 Plus attached RE Transportation personnel Captain RE 2 X Subaltern RE Quartermaster Serjeant RE company quartermaster serjeant RE serjeant locomotive inspector RE lance corporal blockman RE 5 X blockman RE lance serjeant boilermaker RE corporal clerk, railway clerk, railway storeman, technical corporal instrument mechanic RS officers mess cook ACC 2 X cook ACC Total including attached 51 Tradesmen clerk, general duties serjeant clerk, RA clerks section 6 X driver operator equipment repairer vehicle mechanic Non tradesmen 5 X batman 2 X batman driver driver IC trained in water duties 4 X driver IC 3 X motorcycle orderly sanitary dutyman Total vehicles 9 X motorcycle 1 X jeep 2 X car 4 seater 4 X 4 2 X truck 15cwt GS 1 X truck 15cwt office 2 X truck 15cwt FFW 2 X lorry 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 X 10cwt trailer 1 X 15cwt water trailer 3 X Bren lmg 1 X PIAT A Super Heavy Battery with two 9.2” guns on railway mountings. Major, Officer Commanding Captain 3 X Subaltern Battery Serjeant Majors battery quartermaster serjeant signalling serjeant 2 X serjeant No1 of guns lance serjeant 6 X bombardier 7 X lance bombardier 58 X gunner 10 X tradesman listed below Total 106 Plus attached RE Transportation personnel corporal brakesman and shunter 3 X brakesman and shunter carriage and wagon repairer 4 X fireman (locomotive) lance corporal fitter, steam engine corporal platelayer lance serjeant railway engine driver lance corporal railway engine driver 2 X railway engine driver staff serjeant traffic operator 2 X staff serjeant armament artificer REME corporal cook ACC 2 X cook ACC Tradesmen 4 X battery surveyor clerk 4 X driver operator vehicle mechanic Non Tradesmen 16 X ammunition number 5 X batman 2 X driver IC 2 X gun position officers assistant 22 X gun number 3 X motorcycle orderly 2 X observation post assistants 10 X signaller 5 X storeman 5 X water dutyman Transport 5 X motorcycle 1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 1 X 15cwt GS fitted with hand cable layer 1 X 15cwt FFW 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 X 10cwt trailer 1 X water trailer 2 X steam locomotive 2 X mountings, 9.2” gun 2 X spade wagon fitted with 2 ½ ton derrick 2 X 12 ton shell wagon 2 X cartridge van 1 X command post van (carries wireless sets) 2 X gun stores van 1 X artificers shop and signal stores van 2 X quartermaster stores van 1 X kitchen van 12 X sleeping van 1 X serjeants mess van 1 X officers mess coach 2 X French flats 2 X brake vans (also for transportation stores) 6 X bren lmg 4 X PIAT Note; 2 X 20mm guns are also listed. The carriages are not listed. A Super Heavy Battery with one 18” howitzer on railway mounting. Major, Officer Commanding Captain 2 X Subaltern Battery Serjeant Majors battery quartermaster serjeant signalling serjeant serjeant No1 of gun lance serjeant 5 X bombardier 6 X lance bombardier 48 X gunner 9 X tradesman listed below Total 73 Plus attached RE Transportation personnel corporal brakesman and shunter 5 X brakesman and shunter electrician (diesel electric locomotive) lance corporal fitter, (locomotive, diesel) corporal platelayer lance serjeant railway engine driver lance corporal railway engine driver 4 X railway engine driver staff serjeant traffic operator Warrant Officer Class II armament artificer REME corporal cook ACC 2 X cook ACC Tradesmen 2 X serjeant artificer 3 X battery surveyor clerk 4 X driver operator gun fitter vehicle mechanic Non Tradesmen 8 X ammunition number 4 X batman 2 X driver IC gun position officers assistant 23 X gun number 2 X motorcycle orderly 2 X observation post assistants 8 X signaller 5 X storeman sanitary dutyman 5 X water dutyman Transport 5 X motorcycle 1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 1 X 15cwt GS fitted with hand cable layer 1 X 15cwt FFW 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 X 10cwt trailer 1 X water trailer 3 X locomotive diesel electric 1 X mountings, 18” howitzer 1 X shell truck, 18” howitzer 2 X cartridge van 1 X command post van (carries wireless sets) 2 X gun stores van 1 X artificers shop and gun stores van 1 X signals stores van 2 X quartermaster stores van 1 X kitchen van 11 X sleeping van 1 X serjeants mess van 1 X officers mess coach 2 X French flats 2 X brake vans (also for transportation stores) 3 X bren lmg 2 X PIAT Note; 2 X 20mm guns are also listed. The carriages are not listed. A Super Heavy Battery with two 12” Howitzers on railway mountings Major, Officer Commanding Captain 3 X Subaltern Battery Serjeant Majors battery quartermaster serjeant signalling serjeant 2 X serjeant No1 of gun lance serjeant 6 X bombardier 7 X lance bombardier 55 X gunner 10 X tradesman listed below Total 73 Plus attached RE Transportation personnel corporal brakesman and shunter 3 X brakesman and shunter carriage and wagon repairer 4 X fireman (locomotive) lance corporal fitter, (locomotive, steam) corporal platelayer lance serjeant railway engine driver lance corporal railway engine driver 2 X railway engine driver staff serjeant traffic operator 2 X staff serjeant armament artificer REME corporal cook ACC 2 X cook ACC Tradesmen 4 X battery surveyor clerk 4 X driver operator vehicle mechanic Non Tradesmen 16 X ammunition number 5 X batman 2 X driver IC 2 X gun position officers assistant 26 X gun number motorcycle orderly 2 X observation post assistants 10 X signaller storeman sanitary dutyman 5 X water dutyman Transport 5 X motorcycle 1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 1 X 15cwt GS fitted with hand cable layer 1 X 15cwt FFW 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 X 10cwt trailer 1 X water trailer 2 X locomotive steam 2 X mountings, 12” howitzer 4 X spade wagon (fitted with 2 ½ ton derrick) 2 X cartridge van 1 X command post van (carries wireless sets) 2 X gun stores van 1 X artificers shop and signal stores van 2 X quartermaster stores van 1 X kitchen van 12 X sleeping van 1 X serjeants mess van 1 X officers mess coach 2 X French flats 2 X brake vans (also for transportation stores) 6 X bren lmg 4 X PIAT Note; 2 X 20mm guns are also listed. The carriages are not listed. 12” Railway Howitzer. This was a WWI weapon which had not been improved on between the wars. The railway mounting made the weapon easier to move but also made it even less suitable for mobile warfare 12” howitzer Mk5 on Carriage Mk3 was the type assigned to 21 Army group. Earlier versions had a very limited traverse and really needed a specially laid curved track to allow accurate aiming.The elevation for firing was between 20 degrees and 45 degrees. Traverse was 120 degrees either side of the centre line and the gun could be fired at any angle within those limits. The traverse was achieved by having movable outrigger arms which spread the load and gave stability. A 750lb shell could be fired to a range of 14,350 yards, with a minimum range of 4,100 yards. This range made the guns vulnerable to enemy counter battery fire. Their bulk plus their being tied to a railway track meant that they were relatively easy to locate. Shells were limited to Shell HE Mk10 with Shell Common Mk1 for hard targets The propellant charge was in two portions which provided eleven increments. Portion1 was the short range portion consisting of a base charge (Charge 1) and five increments. Portion2 was the long range portion consisting of a base charge (Charge 7) and four increments. A Super Heavy Battery RA with two 12” Howitzers, tractor drawn Major, Officer Commanding Captain 2 X Subaltern Battery Serjeant Majors battery quartermaster serjeant 2 X serjeant No1 of gun lance serjeant 5 X bombardier 6 X lance bombardier 33 X gunner 19 X tradesman listed below Total 73 Plus attached 2 X staff serjeant armament artificer REME 2 X cook ACC Tradesmen clerk 14 X driver mechanic equipment repairer storeman technical 2 X vehicle mechanic Non Tradesmen 4 X batman driver 9 X driver IC 4 X gun position officers assistant 20 X gun number 3 X motorcycle orderly 4 X signaller sanitary dutyman Transport 6 X motorcycle 1 X car 4seater 4 X 4 3 X 15cwt GS 3 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 12 X 6 X 4 Heavy Artillery Tractor 2 X 6 X 4 Heavy Breakdown Tractor 1 X 1ton trailer 1 X water trailer 3 X bren lmg 2 X PIAT A Super Heavy Battery with two 12” Howitzers on railway mountings with two 9.2” guns on railway mountings as alternative weapons. Major, Officer Commanding Captain 3 X Subaltern Battery Serjeant Majors battery quartermaster serjeant signalling serjeant 2 X serjeant No1 of gun lance serjeant 7 X bombardier 8 X lance bombardier 54 X gunner 10 X tradesman listed below Total 73 Plus attached RE Transportation personnel corporal brakesman and shunter 3 X brakesman and shunter carriage and wagon repairer 4 X fireman (locomotive) lance corporal fitter, (locomotive, steam) corporal platelayer lance serjeant railway engine driver lance corporal railway engine driver 2 X railway engine driver staff serjeant traffic operator 2 X staff serjeant armament artificer REME corporal cook ACC 2 X cook ACC Tradesmen 4 X battery surveyor clerk 4 X driver operator vehicle mechanic Non Tradesmen 16 X ammunition number 5 X batman 2 X driver IC 2 X gun position officers assistant 26 X gun number 3 X motorcycle orderly 2 X motorcycle orderly (increment for two 9.2” guns) 2 X observation post assistants 10 X signaller storeman sanitary dutyman water dutyman 6 X bren lmg 4 X PIAT Note: 2 X 20mm guns are also listed. The carriages are not listed. Increment for two 9.2” guns Subaltern 2 X serjeant No1 of gun bombardier 13 X gunner 2 X brakesman and shunter 2 X fireman (locomotive) 2 X railway engine driver cook gun fitter batman driver IC 8 X gun number sanitary dutyman water dutyman 2 X bren lmg 1 X PIAT Note: A 20mm guns is also listed. The carriage is not listed. Transport 5 X motorcycle 1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 1 X 15cwt GS fitted with hand cable layer 1 X 15cwt FFW 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 X 10cwt trailer 1 X water trailer 2 X locomotive steam 2 X mountings, 12” howitzer 4 X spade wagon (fitted with 2 ½ ton derrick) 2 X cartridge van 2 X 10 ton open wagon 1 X command post van (carries wireless sets) 2 X gun stores van 1 X artificers shop and signal stores van 2 X quartermaster stores van 1 X kitchen van 12 X sleeping van 1 X serjeants mess van 1 X officers mess coach 2 X French flats 2 X brake vans (also for transportation stores) Increment for two 9.2” guns 2 X motorcycle 1 X 15cwt GS 1 X locomotive steam 2 X mountings, 9.2” gun 2 X shell wagon 12 ton 2 X open wagon 10 ton 2 X cartridge van 2 X gun stores van 1 X artificers shop and signal stores van 2 X quartermaster stores 3 X sleeping van 1 X passenger coach with luggage compartment 1 X officers mess coach 1 X French flat 2 X brake vans (also for transportation stores) MOUNTAINEER UNITS The 52nd (Lowland) Division was a Territorial Army division which did not see action until the final year of the war. Recruited from the Lowlands of Scotland its battalions included those from Glasgow and Edinburgh. It was trained as a Mountain Division and trained in the Highlands of Scotland in preparation for an expedition to Norway. This never happened and the 52nd Division joined 21 Army Group in the Low Countries in the Autumn of 1944. Part of the establishment of the Mountain Division was the Mountaineer Battalion and Mountaineer Companies. Like the Commandoes these troops were specially trained for their task and had a minimum of motor transport. It is not clear how they were recruited but presumably they were volunteers from the various battalions of the 52nd Division. They were never used in the role for which they were intended and trained. The mountain artillery regiment and a special reconnaissance unit were retained and did go to NW Europe, although the mountain artillery did not take its mules. The reference for the Headquarters of a Mountaineer Battalion is War Establishment III/277/1 with an effective date of 12 November 1943. The reference for a Mountaineer Company is War Establishment III/278/1 with an effective date of 12th November 1943. An assortment of articised CMP vehicles was ordered in late 1943, presumably for the Norwegian Expedition. There were 1200 vehicles which had minor modifications to allow them to operate in extreme low temperatures. All of these vehicles were Chevrolet. - All greases and lubricants were to a low temperature specification - Electrical cable insulation and other rubber parts were of neoprene to prevent cracking - Induction manifold priming systems were fitted to aid starting - Engine oil dilution systems were installed - Fan assisted cab heater and defroster was fitted - Flock insulation was sprayed on cab interiors to aid insulation and prevent condensation - An under chassis heater was supplied - Special batteries were supplied and stored in insulated boxes. - Snow chains were supplied for all four wheels and the cab was raised to give sufficient clearance for the front wheel chains. A MOUNTAINEER BATTALION Lieutenant Colonel, Officer Commanding Major, second in command Captain, Adjutant Captain 4 X Subaltern Quartermaster Regimental Serjeant Major Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant Company Serjeant Major company quartermaster serjeant intelligence serjeant orderly room serjeant clerk provost serjeant pioneer serjeant medical serjeant signal serjeant transport serjeant 4 X serjeant section commander 4 X lance serjeant 18 X corporal 13 X lance corporal 143 X private Total 202 Attached Medical officer RAMC shoemaker, RAOC serjeant armourer REME officers mess cook corporal cook 4 X cook Tradesmen bricklayer 4 X carpenter and joiner 5 X clerk equipment repairer 3 X technical storeman 3 X vehicle mechanic 3 X batman 7 X batman driver butchery dutyman 11 X driver IC 4 X intelligence personnel 52 X lmg numbers (including 13 corporals) lance corporal medical officers orderly 6 X orderly 11 X pioneer postman 3 X regimental police sanitary dutyman 42 X signaller 2 X storeman 16 X stretcher bearer Transport 4 X motorcycle 1 X car 4seater 4 X 4 7 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 1 X 15cwt GS 1 X 15cwt Office 1 X 15cwt water 7 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS Battalion Headquarters Personnel Lieutenant Colonel, Officer Commanding Major, second in command Captain, Adjutant Subaltern, Intelligence Officer Regimental Serjeant Major intelligence serjeant orderly room serjeant clerk provost serjeant 2 X clerk 2 X batman 2 X batman driver 4 X intelligence personnel 3 X regimental police 13 X private Total 21 Attached Medical officer RAMC Transport 2 X motorcycle 1 X car 4seater 4 X 4 2 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 1 X 15cwt Office Headquarters Company Company Headquarters Captain Company Serjeant Major company quartermaster serjeant medical serjeant clerk batman driver lance corporal medical officers orderly storeman 16 X stretcher bearers Total 24 1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 Signal platoon Subaltern signal serjeant batman driver 4 X corporal signaller 38 X signaller storeman Total 46 1 X motorcycle 1 X car 5cwt 4 x 4 LMG Platoon Subaltern batman driver 6 X orderly 4 X serjeant section commanders 13 X corporal 39 X lmg number Total 64 1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 13 X Bren lmg No organisation is given but it is assumed that there are four sections each with a serjeant and three Bren lmg teams. There will be one surplus Bren team. Each team will have a corporal, three privates and a bren lmg. Pioneer platoon Subaltern pioneer serjeant bricklayer 4 X carpenter and joiner batman driver 4 X corporal pioneer 7 X pioneer Total 19 1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 Administrative platoon Quartermaster Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant Company Serjeant Major transport serjeant 2 X clerk equipment repairer 3 X technical storeman 3 X vehicle mechanic batman batman driver butchery dutyman 11 X driver IC postman sanitary dutyman Total 25 Attached shoemaker, RAOC serjeant armourer REME officers mess cook corporal cook 4 X cook 1 X motorcycle 1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 1 X 15cwt GS 1 X 15cwt water 7 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS The following footnotes are attached to the War Establishment table - A Scottish Battalion was allowed one extra serjeant as pipe major and five pipers. - When a Mountaineer Battalion had more than three companies the following additional personnel were allowed for each additional company lance corporal stretcher bearer 3 X stretcher bearer corporal signaller 12 X signaller It is assumed that this is the scale on which battalion headquarters personnel are detached to companies. - The driver of the water truck is trained in water duties - One man in each company is trained to repair boots as a part time employment under the supervision of the shoemaker RAOC. He may be paid at the craftsman’s rates on the days he is employed on craftsman’s duties. - When a battalion has five or more companies the corporal clerk in the administrative platoon will be a serjeant. A Mountaineer Company Major, company commander Captain 3 X Subaltern Company Serjeant Major company quartermaster serjeant 3 X serjeant 4 X batman batman driver clerk driver IC equipment repairer orderly 3 X observer 9 X sniper 2 X lance serjeant mountaineer 7 X corporal mountaineer 73 X mountaineer Total 113 Attached officers mess cook corporal cook 2 X cook The total mountaineers and snipers includes ten lance corporals Transport 1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS No organisation is given but it is assumed that there will be a company headquarters and three platoons. Note that the following will be attached to the company from battalion headquarters. lance corporal stretcher bearer 3 X stretcher bearer corporal signaller 12 X signaller HEAVY AA BATTERY (3” MOBILE) War Establishment III/247/1. July 1943. It was thought that the 3” HAA gun could be useful in an operational theatre since it was lighter and more mobile than the 3.7” gun and could give AA protection in more forward areas. It could also fill a gap between the 3.7” HAA and the 40mm LAA guns. In the event there was no demand for 3” HAA guns and they did not go overseas with 21 Army Group. The battery had a headquarters and four sections. This establishment assumes that two sections have radar and two do not. Personnel Major 3 X Captain 10 X Subaltern Battery Serjeant Major battery quartermaster serjeant 9 X serjeant Trades artificer bombardier clerk for pay duties lance bombardier clerk clerk 12 X driver mechanic bombardier driver operator 5 X driver operator equipment repairer 4 X gun fitter 2 X serjeant fire control operator 2 X lance serjeant fire control operator 2 X bombardier fire control operator 2 X lance bombardier fire control operator 22 X gunner fire control operator 7 X vehicle mechanic 8 X AA lmg numbers 14 X batman driver 28 X driver IC 12 X gun position officers assistants 80 X gun numbers 20 X height takers 10 X motorcyclists 48 X predictor numbers 9 X telephonists (trained as drivers IC) sanitary dutyman (trained as driver IC) storeman (trained as driver IC) water dutyman (trained as driver IC) 12 X telescope identification numbers Total 333 Attached 2 X corporal cook ACC 10 X cook ACC corporal radio mechanic REME Vehicles 1 X bicycle 4 X motorcycle 2 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 2 X 15cwt GS 2 X 15cwt FFW 1 X 15cwt water 3 X 3ton 4 X 2 Organisation Motorcycle 1 commanding officers orderly Motorcycle 2 second in commands orderly Motorcycle 3 Battery Serjeant Major Motorcyclist 4 telephonist- linesman 2 seater car major (commanding officer), clerk, batman driver 15cwt truck GS 1 Captain, clerk, batman driver Carries baggage Carries twin AA lmg and a PIAT 15cwt truck GS 2 4 X telephonist-linesman, driver IC Carries signal stores and cable 15cwt truck FFW 1 3 X driver operator, Carries wireless set No22 15cwt truck FFW 2 3 X driver operator, Carries wireless set No22 15cwt truck water water dutyman, clerk 3ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 1 serjeant, 2 X vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries petrol, height finder and reserve SAA 3ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 2 battery quartermaster serjeant, artificer, corporal radio mechanic REME, equipment repairer, storeman, driver IC Carries stores, predictor, telescope identification, junction box and cable 3ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 3 vehicle mechanic, 2 X cook ACC, sanitary dutyman, driver IC Carries blankets and rations Tows a water trailer 4 X Gun section. 2 X Section with radar. Motorcycle motorcyclist Motorcycle motorcyclist Motrorcycle 3 Subaltern 2 seater car Subaltern, 2 X gun position officers assistant, batman driver 4 seater car 4 X 4 Captain, gun position officers assistant, batman driver 3ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 1 10 X predictor numbers, 2 X AA. Lmg numbers, driver IC Carries predictor, junction box, batteries and cables Carries 2 X Bren lmg and a PIAT 3 ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 2 5 X height takers, 3 X telescope identification numbers, driver IC Carries height finder and baggage 3 ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 3 telephonist-linesman, driver IC Carries 232 rounds of ammunition 3ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 4 batman driver, driver IC Carries 232 rounds of ammunition 3ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 5 vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries 232 rounds of ammunition 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS corporal cook ACC, 2 X cook ACC, 2 X predictor number, driver IC Carries cooking sets, rations, antigas reserves, medical stores and GL screens Tows a generator trailer Tractor 4 X 4 1 serjeant, 10 X gun numbers, gun fitter, driver mechanic Carries gun stores and 44 rounds of ammunition Tows HAA gun Tractor 4 X 4 2 serjeant, 10 X gun numbers, driver mechanic Carries gun stores and 44 rounds of ammunition Tows HAA gun Tractor 4 X 4 3 8 X operators gun control, driver mechanic Carries stores Tows Radar GL Receiver trailer Tractor 4 X 4 4 7 X operator gun control, driver mechanic Carries stores Tows Radar GL Transmitter trailer 2 X Section without radar. Motorcycle motorcyclist Motorcycle motorcyclist Motrorcycle 3 Subaltern 2 seater car Subaltern, 2 X gun position officer’s assistant, batman driver 4 seater car 4 X 4 Captain, gun position officer’s assistant, batman driver 3ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 1 10 X predictor numbers, 2 X AA. Lmg numbers, driver IC Carries predictor, junction box, batteries and cables Carries 2 X Bren lmg and a PIAT 3 ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 2 5 X height takers, 3 X telescope identification numbers, driver IC Carries height finder and baggage 3 ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 3 2 X cook ACC, 2 X predictor number, driver IC Carries cooking set, rations, anti gas reserves and medical stores 3ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 4 telephone linesman, driver IC Carries 232 rounds of ammunition 3ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 5 batman driver, driver IC Carries 232 rounds of ammunition 3ton lorry 4 X 2 GS 6 vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries 232 rounds of ammunition Tractor 4 X 4 1 serjeant, 10 X gun numbers, gun fitter, driver mechanic Carries gun stores and 44 rounds of ammunition Tows HAA gun Tractor 4 X 4 2 serjeant, 10 X gun numbers, driver mechanic Carries gun stores and 44 rounds of ammunition Tows HAA gun RAFT EQUIPMENT PLATOON. The effective date of the War Establishment for a Raft Equipment Platoon was April 1943. It was superseded by the War Establishment for Raft Equipment Type B Platoon on June 9th 1944. Both bear the same reference III/229. It seems likely that the Batwing raft equipment did not go overseas but it could have done so if required. Headquarters Subaltern serjeant administrative corporal who also drove a relief vehicle 4 X driver of vehicles batman driver motorcyclist 3 X lmg detachment 12 X relief drivers water dutyman Plus attached 2 X cook ACC storeman, technical RE 2 X pioneer RE Note: Relief vehicles represent 10% of the task vehicles in the platoon. They are to replace task vehicles undergoing service and maintenance and are not to be regarded as spare vehicles or replacement vehicles. Motorcycle 1 serjeant Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Car 2 seater 4 X 2 Subaltern, batman driver 15cwt GS lance corporal, lmg gunner, driver IC Carries Bren gun and PIAT 3ton 4 X 2 GS 2 X cook, water dutyman, driver IC Tows water trailer 3ton 6 X 4 GS administrative corporal Relief vehicle 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 1 driver IC Relief vehicle 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 2 driver IC Relief vehicle Section 1 Motorcycle corporal 3ton 6 X 4 GS driver IC Carries Batwing raft roadbearers 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 1 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 2 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 3 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 4 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 5 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons Section 2 Motorcycle corporal 3ton 6 X 4 GS driver IC Carries Batwing raft roadbearers 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 1 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 2 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 3 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 4 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 5 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons Section 3 Motorcycle corporal 3ton 6 X 4 GS driver IC Carries Batwing raft roadbearers 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 1 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 2 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 3 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 4 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 5 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons Section 4 Motorcycle corporal 3ton 6 X 4 GS driver IC Carries Batwing raft roadbearers 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 1 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 2 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 3 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 4 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons 3ton 6 X 4 Pontoon 5 driver IC Carries 2 X Batwing raft pontoons FOLDING BOAT EQUIPMENT TYPE A PLATOON. It is not clear if this unit was ever formed. The War Establishment was issued and the semi trailers tested. There is no evidence of quantity production of the semi trailers and no record of the use of this equipment. Headquarters Subaltern serjeant administrative corporal who also drove a relief vehicle 3 X driver of vehicle batman driver motorcyclist 3 X lmg detachment 8 relief drivers water dutyman Plus attached 2 X cook ACC storeman, technical RE 2 X pioneer RE Note: Relief vehicles represent 10% of the task vehicles in the platoon. They are to replace task vehicles undergoing service and maintenance and are not to be regarded as spare vehicles or replacement vehicles. Motorcycle 1 serjeant Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Car 2 seater 4 X 2 Subaltern, batman driver 15cwt GS lance corporal, lmg gunner, driver IC Carries Bren gun and PIAT 3ton 4 X 2 GS 2 X cook, water dutyman, driver IC Tows water trailer 6ton 4 X 2 - 2 1 administrative corporal Relief vehicle 6ton 4 X 2 – 2 2 driver IC Relief vehicle Section 1 Motorcycle corporal 3ton 4 X 4 GS driver IC Carries 8 rolls of Sommerfield track 6ton 4 X 2 – 2 1 driver IC For landing stage unit 6ton 4 X 2 – 2 2 driver IC For landing stage unit 6ton 4 X 2 – 2 3 driver IC For landing stage unit 6ton 4 X 2 – 2 4 driver IC For landing stage unit 6ton 4 X 2 – 2 5 driver IC For floating bay unit 6ton 4 X 2 – 2 6 driver IC For floating bay unit 6ton 4 X 2 – 2 7 driver IC For floating bay unit 6ton 4 X 2 – 2 8 driver IC For floating bay unit Section 2 Motorcycle corporal 3ton 4 X 4 GS driver IC Carries 8 rolls of Sommerfield track 6ton 4 X 2 – 2 1 driver IC For landing stage unit 6ton 4 X 2 – 2 2 driver IC For landing stage unit 6ton 4 X 2 – 2 3 driver IC For landing stage unit 6ton 4 X 2 – 2 4 driver IC For landing stage unit 6ton 4 X 2 – 2 5 driver IC For floating bay unit 6ton 4 X 2 – 2 6 driver IC For floating bay unit 6ton 4 X 2 – 2 7 driver IC For floating bay unit 6ton 4 X 2 – 2 8 driver IC For floating bay unit