ARMOURED REGIMENT PLUS ARMOURED BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS and TANK BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS. Armoured Regiments were originally formed as formations to pursue and harry a retreating enemy. Those regiments in armoured divisions retained that role but many were used in Infantry support roles. ARMOURED AND TANK BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS. HEADQUARTERS OF AN ARMOURED BRIGADE War Establishment II/101/1. November 1943. Brigadier, Commander Staff Colonel, Second in Command Brigade Major Major, Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General Captain, GSO3 Staff Captain Captain, Intelligence Officer Headquarters Squadron Major, Headquarters Squadron Commander Captain Liaison Officer Captain, protection troop commander Captain, headquarters squadron second in command 3 X Subaltern Liaison Officer Subaltern Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant Quartermaster Serjeant, technical Squadron Serjeant Major Mechanist Quartermaster Serjeant Warrant Officer Clerk 2 X serjeant clerk intelligence serjeant provost serjeant mechanist serjeant 5 X serjeant 8 X corporal driver operator 2 X corporal driver OC corporal gunner operator corporal motor mechanic corporal cook corporal storeman, technical 2 X corporal clerk corporal, officers mess NCO corporal vehicle mechanic corporal motorcyclist 19 X driver mechanic 15 X driver operator 17 X gunner mechanic 15 X gunner operator 29 X driver IC 4 X clerk 13 X batman 5 X batman driver 7 X motorcyclist 5 X cook electrician 8 X vehicle mechanic storeman, technical, 2 X storeman 2 X sanitary dutyman water dutyman Services 4 X Chaplain Major REME batman driver REME Captain RASC corporal clerk RASC batman driver RASC motorcyclist RASC clerk RAOC 9 X motorcycle 6 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 5 X car 4 seat 4 X 4 (heavy utility) 6 X 15cwt GS 1 X 15cwt water 10 X 3ton 4 X 4 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 kitchen 1 X Carrier, Starting and Charging 7 X scout cars 10 X cruiser tank 2 X AA tank 3 X bridgelaying tanks 4 X car 2 seater 4 X 2 for chaplains. The Fighting Group. Armoured Command Vehicle LP 1 corporal operator, 2 X operator, driver mechanic Carries Bren lmg Carries Wireless set No19 and Wireless set No19HP This vehicle is for forward control and rear link For the use of the Brigade Commander and his staff. Armoured Command Vehicle LP 2 corporal operator, 2 X operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No19 and Wireless et No19HP. This vehicle is for service control and rear link to Rear Division. Cruiser Tank 1 (Command) GSO3, serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner operator, operator RS from Divisional Signals Carries Wireless set No 19 and No19 HP Cruiser Tank 2 (Command) Signals Officer RS, corporal gunner operator, driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, operator RS Carries Wireless set No19 and No19HP Cruiser Tank 3 intelligence serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner operator, corporal driver operator Carries Wireless set No19 and No19HP Cruiser Tank 4 gunner operator, driver mechanic, 2 X gunner mechanic, corporal driver operator Cruiser Tank 5 Subaltern Liaison Officer, driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, corporal driver operator, gunner operator Cruiser Tank 6 Subaltern Liaison Officer, driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, corporal driver operator, gunner operator Cruiser Tank 7 Subaltern Liaison Officer, driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, corporal driver operator, gunner operator Cruiser Tank 8 Captain, driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, corporal driver operator, gunner operator Cruiser Tank 9 Subaltern, corporal driver operator, driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, gunner operator Cruiser Tank 10 serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, driver operator, gunner operator AA Tank 1 serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, gunner operator AA Tank 2 driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, corporal driver operator, gunner operator Bridgelayer 1 driver operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Bridgelayer 2 driver operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Bridgelayer 3 driver operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Scout car 1 sergeant, driver operator Scout car 2 corporal driver IC, driver operator Scout car 3 corporal driver IC, driver operator Scout car 4 driver operator, driver IC Scout car 5 driver operator, driver IC Scout car 6 driver operator, driver IC Scout car 7 driver operator For the use of Captain REME Note: Brigade Commander, Brigade Major and Brigade Intelligence Officer are carried in ACV of Divisional Signals. Office and Reconnaissance Group Motorcycle 1 motorcyclist Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Motorcycle 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle 4 motorcyclist Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD). Deputy Assiastant Adjutant and Quartermaster General, driver IC Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD). Colonel 2ic, batman, driver IC Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD). driver IC For the use of the Brigadier Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) Captain liaison officer, batman driver Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) Staff captain, batman driver Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) provost serjeant, driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) driver IC 15cwt truck GS clerk RA, batman, driver IC For use as Intelligence Office 3ton 4 X 4 GS Warrant Officer Clerk RAC, serjeant clerk RAC, corporal clerk RAC, clerk RAC, driver IC For use as Office. Administrative Group Motorcycle 1 motorcyclist Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Motorcycle 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle 5 motorcyclist RASC Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD). Major, Squadron Serjeant Major, corporal clerk RAC, driver IC Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD). Major REME, Warrant Officer armourer REME, Warrant Officer Operator REME, batman driver REME Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) driver IC For the use of commander B echelon 15cwt GS Brigade Ordnance Warrant Officer Clerk RAOC, driver IC 15cwt GS Captain RASC, corporal clerk RASC, batman driver RASC 15cwt water water dutyman, driver IC 15cwt 4 X 4 personnel Quartermaster Serjeant (technical), Mechanist Quartermaster Serjeant, mechanist serjeant, technical storeman, 2 X vehicle mechanic, driver IC 15cwt halftrack personnel driver IC 15cwt halftrack personnel driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS, fitted for stores corporal storeman (technical), 2 X vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries stores and vehicle mechanics tools Tows a 1ton trailer with technical stores 3ton 4 X 4 GS officer mess NCO, 3 X batman, officers mess cook, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant, serjeant clerk RAC, storeman, 4 X batman, cook ACC, driver IC Carries QM stores, baggage, reserve clothing and anti gas stores 3ton 4 X 4 GS serjeant, 3 X driver mechanic, 4 X driver operator, 4 X gunner operator, 3 X gunner mechanic, sanitary dutyman, driver IC Relief crews 3ton 4 X 4 GS vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries petrol Tows a 1ton trailer with technical stores 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 X clerk RAC, driver IC Carries petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS batman, 2 X vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 X vehicle mechanic, 3 X batman, driver IC Carries ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS storeman, driver IC Carries ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 mobile kitchen corporal cook ACC, 3 X cook, ACC, sanitary dutyman, driver IC Carrier, slave battery electrician, driver mechanic. Note: The Captain is carried in the transport of divisional signals. W troop (armoured brigade headquarters) Royal Signals. Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 3 Captain, batman driver Motorcycle 1 despatch rider Motorcycle 2 despatch rider Motorcycle 3 despatch rider Motorcycle 4 despatch rider Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 despatch rider Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 despatch rider 15cwt truck office corporal cipher operator, 2 X lance corporal cipher operator, driver IC 15cwt wireless house 1 corporal operator, operator, driver operator Carries a Bren lmg Carries a Wireless set No22 This vehicle for A echelon command and rear link 15cwt wireless house 2 corporal operator, operator, driver operator Carries a Bren lmg Carries a Wireless set No22 This vehicle for A echelon command and rear link 15cwt wireless house 3 lance corporal operator, operator, driver operator Carries a Wireless set No22 This vehicle for mobile replenishment and ammunition point 15cwt wireless house 4 lance corporal operator, operator, driver operator Carries a Wireless set No22 This vehicle for mobile replenishment and ammunition point 15cwt wireless house 5 lance corporal operator, operator, driver operator Carries Bren lmg Carries a Wireless set No19 HP This vehicle for Rear Link to Division, CW Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 4 lance corporal lineman, 2 X lineman, driver IC Carries cable laying apparatus No3 Tows a 10cwt trailer 15cwt 4 X 4 personnel 1 corporal lineman, 2 X lineman, driver mechanic Carries cable laying apparatus No 3 15cwt 4 X 4 personnel 2 electrician, driver IC This vehicle is for battery distribution 3ton lorry GS serjeant, 5 X relief operator, relief driver IC , driver IC Carries Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 TEV Division corporal operator, 4 X operator, driver IC Carries Signal Office Equipment Plus the following which are listed above with the Fighting Group. Armoured Command Vehicle LP 1 Armoured Command Vehicle LP 2 3 X operator are carried in three command tanks of Armoured Brigade Headquarters. HEADQUARTERS OF A TANK BRIGADE War Establishment II/142/3 with an effective date of 30 November 1943. Personnel Brigadier, Commander Staff Colonel, Second in Command Brigade Major Major, Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General Captain, GSO3 Staff Captain Headquarters Squadron Major, Headquarters Squadron Commander Captain, Intelligence Officer Captain Liaison Officer Captain, protection troop commander Captain, headquarters squadron second in command 3 X Subaltern Liaison Officer Subaltern Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant Quartermaster Serjeant, technical Squadron Serjeant Major Warrant Officer Clerk 2 X serjeant clerk intelligence serjeant provost serjeant mechanist serjeant 5 X serjeant provost corporal 2 X intelligence personnel 12 X driver mechanic 24 X driver operator 5 X gunner mechanic 8 X gunner operator 26 X driver IC 6 X clerk 15 X batman 4 X batman driver 6 X motorcyclist electrician 6 X vehicle mechanic 2 X storeman, technical, storeman sanitary dutyman water dutyman 6 X orderlies (for brigade signals) medical officers orderly officers mess NCO Services 3 X Chaplain Major REME batman driver REME Warrant Officer Class I, Operator (tyre repair plant) REME Warrant Officer Class I, Armourer REME Captain RASC corporal clerk RASC batman driver RASC motorcycle orderly RASC Captain RAOC Warrant Officer Class I RAOC (acts as brigade ordnance warrant officer) clerk RAOC corporal cook ACC 3 X cook ACC 8 X motorcycle 3 X car 2 seat 6 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 7 X car 4seat 4 X 4 (heavy utility) 4 X 15cwt 1 X 15cwt water 8 X 3ton 4 X 4 1 X mobile kitchen 1 X Carrier, Starting and Charging 1 X water trailer 10 X scout cars 4 X cruiser tank 2 X AA tank 3 X bridgelaying tank The Fighting Group. Armoured Command Vehicle LP 1 (from Brigade Signals) Brigadier, Brigade Major, Captain Intelligence Officer, corporal operator RS, 2 X operator RS, driver mechanic RS Carries Wireless set No19 and No 19 HP For forward control and rear link. Armoured Command Vehicle LP 2 (from Brigade Signals) Staff Captain, corporal operator, 2 X operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No19 and No 19 HP For Service control and rear link to Rear Division Cruiser Tank 1 (Command) GSO3, serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner operator, operator RS Carries Wireless set No 19 and No19 HP Cruiser Tank 2 (Command) Signals Officer RS, corporal driver operator, driver mechanic, gunner operator, operator RS Carries Wireless set No19 and No19HP Cruiser Tank 3 Subaltern, driver mechanic, gunner operator, corporal driver operator, operator RS Carries Wireless set No19 and No19HP Cruiser Tank 4 Captain, gunner operator, driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, corporal driver operator Scout car 1 Captain Liaison Officer, driver operator Scout car 2 Lieutenant Liaison Officer, driver operator Scout car 3 Lieutenant Liaison Officer, driver operator Scout car 4 Lieutenant Liaison Officer, driver operator Scout car 5 serjeant, driver operator Scout car 6 corporal driver operator, driver IC Scout car 7 driver operator, driver IC Scout car 8 corporal driver operator, driver IC Scout car 9 driver operator, driver IC Scout car 10 driver operator, driver IC AA Tank 1 serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, gunner operator AA Tank 2 driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, corporal driver operator, gunner operator Bridgelayer 1 driver operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Bridgelayer 2 driver operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Bridgelayer 3 driver operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Note: Brigade Commander, Brigade Major and Brigade Intelligence Officer are carried in ACV of Brigade Signals. Office and Reconnaissance Group Motorcycle provost corporal Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD) 1. driver IC For the use of the Brigadier Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD) 2. driver IC For the use of the Brigade Major Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD) 3. Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General, driver IC Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD) 4. Colonel Second in Command, driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 intelligence serjeant Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 provost serjeant Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 3 driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 4 driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 5 driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 6 driver IC 15cwt truck GS 1 intelligence corporal, intelligence private, driver IC For use as Intelligence Office 15cwt truck GS 2 clerk, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS Warrant Officer Clerk RAC, serjeant clerk RAC, corporal clerk RAC, clerk RAC, driver IC For use as Office. Administrative Group Motorcycle 1 orderly RASC Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Motorcycle 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle 5 motorcyclist RASC Motorcycle 6 motorcyclist Motorcycle 7 motorcyclist RASC Car 4 seater 4 x 4 (Humber FWD) 1. Captain RASC, corporal clerk RASC, batman driver RASC Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD) 2. Major REME, Warrant Officer Armourer REME, Warrant Officer Operator REME, batman driver REME Note that the Warrant Officer Operator REME operates the tyre repair plant. Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD) 3. Major, corporal clerk RAC, driver IC 15cwt truck GS 1 Brigade Ordnance Warrant Officer, clerk RAOC, batman driver 15cwt truck GS 2 Quartermaster Serjeant (technical), mechanist serjeant, technical storeman, 2 X vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries stores and vehicle mechanics tools 15cwt water water dutyman, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 officer’s mess NCO, 4 X batman, officers mess cook, driver IC Carries officers mess equipment 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant, Squadron Serjeant Major, serjeant clerk RAC, 2 X clerk, medical officers orderly, driver IC Carries QM stores, baggage, reserve clothing and anti gas stores 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3, fitted for stores storeman (technical), corporal vehicle mechanic, 2 X vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries stores and vehicle mechanics tools 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 batman, driver IC Carries petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS 5 batman, driver IC Carries petrol Tows a 1ton trailer with technical stores 3ton 4 X 4 GS 6 corporal vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries ammunition Tows a water trailer 3ton 4 X 4 GS 7 serjeant, 2 X relief driver mechanic, 4 X relief driver operator, 2 X relief gunner operator, 6 X batman, storeman, vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries relief personnel and men’s kit 3ton 4 X 4 GS 8 (mobile kitchen) corporal cook ACC, 2 X cook ACC, sanitary dutyman, 2 X batman, driver IC Carrier, slave battery electrician, driver mechanic. TANK BRIGADE SIGNALS Personnel Major Captain Subaltern Company Serjeant Major company quartermaster serjeant company quartermaster serjeant as foreman of signals 26 X corporal, signalman class 16 X lance corporal, signalman class 67 X signalman 21 X driver Plus attached 3 X cook ACC 6 X orderly from Tank Brigade Headquarters Total 150 tradesmen clerk 6 X despatch driver 3 X driver mechanic 13 X driver operator 18 X electrician 4 X instrument mechanic 4 X linesman 51 X operator 2 X vehicle mechanic storeman non tradesmen 3 X cipher operator batman 2 X batman driver 17 X driver of vehicle general dutyman 3 X spare driver Organisation Headquarters Motorcycle Company Serjeant Major 4 seater car 4 X 4 Major, corporal clerk, batman, driver IC 15cwt GS 1 3 X cook ACC, driver IC Carries cooking equipment 15cwt GS 2 vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries petrol in tins 15cwt GS 3 Company Quartermaster Serjeant, corporal vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries a bren lmg Carries stores 3ton 4 X 4 GS corporal electrician, electrician, driver mechanic Carries a bren lmg Carries a 6Kw charging set 3ton 6 X 4 Machinery Company Quartermaster Serjeant (Foreman of Signals), transport serjeant, corporal instrument mechanic, storeman, general dutyman, spare driver IC, driver IC This vehicle for repair of signals equipment and was a Machinery Type X without machine tools or power take off. Scout car Subaltern, batman driver W section (Brigade Headquarters) Motorcycle 1 corporal despatch rider Motorcycle 2 despatch rider Motorcycle 3 despatch rider Motorcycle 4 despatch rider Car 5 cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 despatch rider Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 despatch rider Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 3 Captain, batman driver Car 5 cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 4 corporal linesman, 3 X linesman, driver IC Carries cable layer and stores Tows a 10cwt trailer 15cwt Office corporal operator, 4 X operator, driver operator For use as signal Office 15cwt Wireless House 1 corporal operator, operator, driver operator Carries Wireless set No 19 ‘A’ echelon command and rear link 15cwt Wireless House 2 corporal operator, operator, driver operator Carries Wireless set No 19 ‘A’ echelon command and rear link 15cwt Wireless House 3 corporal operator, operator, driver operator Carries Wireless set No 19 Mobile replenishment and ammunition point 15cwt Wireless House 4 corporal operator, operator, driver operator Carries Wireless set No 19 Mobile replenishment and ammunition point 15cwt Wireless House 5 2 X operator, driver operator Carries Wireless set No 19 Administrative pool 15cwt Wireless House 6 2 X operator, driver operator Carries Wireless set No 19 Administrative pool 15cwt Wireless House 7 2 X operator, driver operator Carries Wireless set No 19 HP Main Division (Morse) 3ton 4 X 4 GS serjeant, 5 X relief operators for command tanks and ACVs, 2 X spare driver for ACVs, electrician, corporal cipher operator, 2 X lance corporal cipher operator, 6 X orderly from Tank brigade Headquarters, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Note that the cipher operators are for medium grade cipher duties. Plus the following which are listed above with the Fighting Group. Armoured Command Vehicle LP 1 Armoured Command Vehicle LP 2 3 X operator are carried in the transport of the Tank Brigade Headquarters. X, Y and Z sections (Tank battalions) Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) electrician 15cwt GS 1 serjeant electrician, driver IC Carries batteries and stores 15cwt GS 2 2 X instrument mechanic, driver IC Technical workshop 15cwt Wireless House 2 2 X operator, driver operator Carries Wireless set No 19 For A echelon 15cwt Wireless House 3 corporal operator, operator, driver operator Carries Wireless set No 19 For Liaison 3ton 4 X 4 GS corporal electrician, 2 X electrician, operator, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Carries a 6Kw charging set One operator is carries in the transport of the Tank battalion. HEADQUARTERS of an ARMOURED BRIGADE 1945 War Establishment II/105/1 with an effective date of 1 May 1945. This would apply to all brigades including those that had previously been Tank Brigades as well as the original Armoured Brigades since there is a note that the new establishment replaces WE II/100/3 and II/142/3. Brigadier, Commander Staff Colonel, Second in Command Brigade Major Major, Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General Captain, GSO3 Staff Captain Captain, Intelligence Officer Headquarters Squadron Major, Headquarters Squadron Commander Captain Liaison Officer Captain, protection troop commander Captain, headquarters squadron second in command 3 X Subaltern Liaison Officer Subaltern Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant Quartermaster Serjeant, technical Squadron Serjeant Major Mechanist Quartermaster Serjeant Warrant Officer Class I Clerk 2 X serjeant clerk intelligence serjeant provost serjeant mechanist serjeant 5 X serjeant 8 X corporal driver operator 2 X corporal driver IC corporal gunner operator corporal motor mechanic corporal cook corporal storeman, technical 2 X corporal clerk corporal, officers mess NCO corporal vehicle mechanic corporal motorcyclist 23 X driver mechanic 15 X driver operator 14 X gunner mechanic 19 X gunner operator 29 X driver IC 4 X clerk 12 X batman 7 X batman driver 5 X motorcyclist 5 X cook electrician 10 X vehicle mechanic storeman, technical, 2 X storeman 2 X sanitary dutyman water dutyman 6 X orderly for attached Royal Signals troop Services 4 X Chaplain Major REME Warrant Officer Class II armourer REME Warrant Officer Class II tyre repair plant operator batman driver REME Captain RASC corporal clerk RASC batman driver RASC motorcyclist RASC Warrant officer Class I clerk RAOC Captain Education Officer RAEC corporal cook ACC officers mess cook ACC 4 X cook ACC The Fighting Group. Armoured Command Vehicle LP 1 corporal operator, 2 X operator, driver mechanic Carries Bren lmg Carries Wireless set No19 and Wireless set No19HP This vehicle is for forward control and rear link Seats for the Brigadier, Brigade Major and Intelligence Officer. Armoured Command Vehicle LP 2 corporal operator, 2 X operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No19 and Wireless et No19HP. This vehicle is for service control and rear link to Rear Division. 15cwt halftrack personnel driver IC Carries Wireless set No19 and Wireless set No19 HP. For use as an alternative command vehicle. Cruiser Tank 1 (Command) GSO3, serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner operator, operator RS from Divisional Signals Carries Wireless set No 19 and No19 HP Cruiser Tank 2 (Command) intelligence serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner operator, corporal driver operator, operator RS from Divisional Signals Carries Wireless set No19 and No19HP Cruiser Tank 2 (Command) Signals Officer RS, corporal gunner operator, driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, operator RS from Divisional Signals Carries Wireless set No19 and No19HP Note: The Wireless set No19 HP can be removed from the Command Tank and carried in the unit transport. Cruiser Tank 4 gunner operator, driver mechanic, 2 X gunner mechanic, corporal driver operator Carries Wireless set No19 and Wireless set No38 Cruiser Tank 5 Captain, driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, corporal driver operator, gunner operator Carries Wireless set No19 and Wireless set No38 Captain commands the headquarters tanks. Cruiser Tank 6 Subaltern, corporal driver operator, driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, gunner operator Carries Wireless set No19 and Wireless set No38 Subaltern commands the protection troop. Cruiser Tank 7 serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, driver operator, gunner operator Carries Wireless set No19 and Wireless set No38 Note: Three tanks may be fitted with dozer blades. These are not specified but are unlikely to be Command tanks. Scout Car 1 Subaltern Liaison Officer, corporal driver operator Scout Car 2 Subaltern Liaison Officer, corporal driver operator Scout Car 3 Subaltern Liaison Officer, corporal driver operator AA Tank 1 serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, gunner operator AA Tank 2 driver mechanic, gunner mechanic, corporal driver operator, gunner operator Bridgelayer 1 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Bridgelayer 2 corporaldriver operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Bridgelayer 3 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Tank Observation Post 1 serjeant, driver mechanic Carries 2 X wireless set No19, 2 X Wireless set No 38 and a Wireless set No18. Tank Observation Post 2 corporal gunner operator, driver mechanic Carries 2 X wireless set No19, 2 X Wireless set No 38 and a Wireless set No18. Tank Observation Post 3 corporal gunner operator, driver mechanic Carries 2 X wireless set No19, 2 X Wireless set No 38 and a Wireless set No18. Tank Observation Post 4 corporal gunner operator, driver mechanic Carries 2 X wireless set No19, 2 X Wireless set No 38 and a Wireless set No18. Tank Observation Post 5 corporal gunner operator, driver mechanic Carries 2 X wireless set No19, 2 X Wireless set No 38 and a Wireless set No18. Tank Observation Post 6 corporal gunner operator, driver mechanic Carries 2 X wireless set No19, 2 X Wireless set No 38 and a Wireless set No18. Tank Observation Post 7 corporal gunner operator, driver mechanic Carries 2 X wireless set No19, 2 X Wireless set No 38 and a Wireless set No18. Tank Observation Post 8 corporal gunner operator, driver mechanic Carries 2 X wireless set No19, 2 X Wireless set No 38 and a Wireless set No18. Scout Car 4 sergeant, driver operator Scout car 5 corporal driver IC, driver operator Scout car 6 corporal driver IC, driver operator Scout car 7 driver operator, driver IC Scout car 8 driver operator, driver IC Scout car 9 driver operator, driver IC Scout car 10 driver operator For the use of Captain REME Note: Brigade Commander, Brigade Major and Brigade Intelligence Officer are carried in ACV of Divisional Signals. Office and Reconnaissance Group Motorcycle 1 motorcyclist Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Motorcycle 3 motorcyclist Car 4 X 4 Heavy Utility 1 Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General, driver IC Car 4 X 4 Heavy Utility 2 Colonel second in command, batman, driver IC Car 4 X 4 Heavy Utility 3. driver IC For the use of the Brigadier Car 4 X 4 Heavy Utility 4 driver IC For the use of the Brigade Major Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) Captain liaison officer, batman driver Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) Staff Captain, batman driver Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) provost serjeant, driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS intelligence corporal, intelligence private, driver IC For use as Intelligence Office 3ton 4 X 4 GS Warrant Officer clerk RAC, serjeant clerk RAC, corporal clerk RAC, clerk RAC, driver IC For use as Office. 3ton 4 X 4 Caravan batman driver Brigadiers sleeping quarters and office Administrative Group Motorcycle 1 motorcyclist Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Motorcycle 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle 4 motorcyclist RASC Car 4 X 4 Heavy Utility. Major, Squadron Serjeant Major, corporal clerk, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Car 4 X 4 Heavy Utility Major REME, clerk REME, batman driver REME Car, Light Utility Captain (Education Officer) AEC, batman driver Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) driver IC For the use of commander B echelon Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) medical officers orderly, driver IC 15cwt GS Captain RASC, corporal clerk RASC, batman driver RASC 15cwt water water dutyman, driver IC Tows a water trailer 15cwt 4 X 4 armoured personnel Quartermaster Serjeant (technical), Mechanist Quartermaster Serjeant, mechanist serjeant, technical storeman, 2 X vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Carries vehicle mechanics tools 15cwt halftrack personnel driver IC 15cwt halftrack personnel driver IC Car Light Utility Chaplain, batman driver Car Light Utility Chaplain, batman driver Car Light Utility Chaplain, batman driver Car Light Utility Chaplain, batman driver Four Scout Cars could be added at the Theatre Commanders discretion for the use of the chaplains. Presumably these would be in addition to the light utilties but no mention is made of drivers. 3ton 4 X 4 GS, fitted for stores corporal storeman (technical), 2 X vehicle mechanic, Warrant Officer Armourer REME, Warrant Officer Tyre repair Plant Operator, driver IC Carries stores and vehicle mechanics tools Tows a 1ton trailer with technical stores 3ton 4 X 4 GS officer’s mess NCO, 3 X batman, officers mess cook, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Tows a water trailer 3ton 4 X 4 GS Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant, serjeant clerk, storeman, 4 X batman, cook ACC, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Carries QM stores, baggage, reserve clothing and anti gas stores 3ton 4 X 4 GS serjeant, 3 X driver mechanic, 4 X driver operator, 4 X gunner operator, 3 X gunner mechanic Relief crews 3ton 4 X 4 GS vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Carries unit stores Tows a 1ton trailer with technical stores 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 X clerk RAC, driver IC Carries petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS batman, vehicle mechanic, gun fitter, driver IC Carries a bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 X vehicle mechanic, 3 X batman, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Carries petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS storeman, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Carries petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS electrician, vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 X vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Carries ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS Brigade Ordnance Warrant Officer Clerk RAOC, driver IC Note: When the brigade is equipped with tanks with 77mm or 17pdr guns then one lorry 4 X 4 GS is added. 3ton 4 X 4 mobile kitchen corporal cook ACC, 3 X cook, ACC, sanitary dutyman, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 Machinery Type I-30 electrician, driver mechanic. For battery charging Note: The Captain is carried in the transport of divisional signals. W TROOP ROYAL SIGNALS Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 3 Captain, batman driver Motorcycle 1 despatch rider Motorcycle 2 despatch rider Motorcycle 3 despatch rider Motorcycle 4 despatch rider Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 despatch rider Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 despatch rider 15cwt truck office corporal cipher operator, 2 X lance corporal cipher operator, driver IC 15cwt wireless house 1 corporal operator, operator, driver operator Carries a Bren lmg Carries a Wireless set No22 This vehicle for A echelon command and rear link 15cwt wireless house 2 corporal operator, operator, driver operator Carries a Bren lmg Carries a Wireless set No22 This vehicle for A echelon command and rear link 15cwt wireless house 3 lance corporal operator, operator, driver operator Carries a Wireless set No22 This vehicle for mobile replenishment and ammunition point 15cwt wireless house 4 lance corporal operator, operator, driver operator Carries a Wireless set No22 This vehicle for mobile replenishment and ammunition point 15cwt wireless house 5 lance corporal operator, operator, driver operator Carries Bren lmg Carries a Wireless set No19 HP This vehicle for Rear Link to Division, CW Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 4 lance corporal lineman, 2 X lineman, driver IC Carries cable laying apparatus No3 Tows a 10cwt trailer 15cwt 4 X 4 personnel 1 corporal lineman, 2 X lineman, driver mechanic Carries cable laying apparatus No 3 15cwt 4 X 4 personnel 2 electrician, driver IC This vehicle is for battery distribution 3ton lorry GS serjeant, 5 X relief operator, relief driver IC , driver IC Carries Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 TEV Division corporal operator, 4 X operator, driver IC Carries Signal Office Equipment Plus the following which are listed above with Fighting Group Armoured Command Vehicle LP 1 Armoured Command Vehicle LP 2 3 X operator who are carried in three command tanks of Armoured Brigade Headquarters. HEADQUARTERS OF AN INDEPENDENT ARMOURED BRIGADE. Headquarters of an Independent Armoured Brigade was identical to the above except for the addition of Captain RAOC Clerk RAOC ARMOURED REGIMENT The armoured regiments of 21 Army Group changed very little in their organisation, or in their vehicles and personnel. There are three War Establishments which are relevant, January 1944, November 1944 and May 1945, plus Canadian establishments. The differences between the War Establishments for January 1944, November 1944 and May 1945 were very small and amounted to some minor variations in ranks and trades plus the following- Between January and November 1944 - The reconnaissance troop, which had been commanded by a subaltern, was now commanded by a captain with a subaltern as second in command. - The technical officer had the use of a scout car until November when he lost it. He then rode in a 3ton GS. - The intercommunication troop gained a driver mechanic to fill the seat previously used by the technical officer. - Regimental Headquarters gained a halftrack, and a driver IC to go with it. - There was a steady replacement of 15cwt trucks by halftracks. - The AA troop was disbanded after the Normandy Campaign. By May 1945 - The administrative squadron had gained two halftracks. - Each squadron headquarters had gained a scout car - The technical officer got his scout car back - The AA troop was back (on paper at least). It is known that there were variations authorised by 21Army Group. The main variation was the adoption of a squadron with four troops, each of four tanks. This organisation was adopted to accommodate the Sherman Firefly. These were issued at the rate of 12 per regiment or one per troop in the new organisation. All the available evidence suggests that regiments did receive their Fireflies before embarking for France, although only just in time in some cases. The change in organisation could be implemented using the regiments existing resources. One tank and crew was removed from squadron headquarters to make up the numbers in the troops. This tank was replaced in squadron headquarters in early 1945. Some regiments at least retained a squadron organisation of five troops and put all the Fireflies into one troop. In the last months of the war units used the troop of four tanks but with two Firefly and two 75mm Sherman. With the re equipping of 11 Armoured Division there were more Fireflies to share out amongst the rest. There is no reason to think that the organisation of regimental headquarters and squadron headquarters varied with the type of tank used or the troop organisation. D Day assault units were organised differently. These were trained in the use of amphibious DD (Duplex Drive) Sherman tanks. Regiments typically had two squadrons equipped with DD tanks and one equipped with normal Sherman tanks which were landed across the beaches from landing craft. These regiments reorganised as soon as was practicable and received their allocation of Fireflies. Total personnel Lieutenant Colonel Major, second in command 4 X Major Captain, Adjutant Captain, Technical Officer Captain Liaison Officer 8 X Captain 20 X Subaltern Quartermaster Regimental Serjeant Major Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant Quartermaster Serjeant, technical Mechanist Quartermaster Serjeant 4 X Squadron Serjeant Major 4 X squadron quartermaster serjeant 4 X serjeant mechanist orderly room serjeant clerk provost serjeant signal serjeant transport serjeant serjeant technical storeman 29 X serjeant 59 X corporal 523 X trooper Total 670 Plus Medical Officer RAMC 3 X armourer REME 4 X officers mess cooks ACC 15 X cook ACC 6 X vehicle mechanic REME Trades included carpenter and joiner 13 X clerk 94 X driver mechanics 103 X driver operator 5 X electrician equipment repairer gun fitter 92 X gunner mechanics 89 X gunner operator 6 X storeman (technical) 39 X vehicle mechanics 22 X batman butchery dutyman 90 X driver IC medical orderly 6 X motorcycle orderly postman 5 X sanitary dutyman 5 X storeman 4 X water dutyman Total vehicles 8 X motorcycle 1 X Car 4seater 4 X 4 11 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 jeep 12 X 15cwt GS 1 X 15cwt Office 4 X 15cwt water 1 X 15cwt FFW 7 X 15cwt halftrack 48 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3 X 3ton 4 X 4 stores 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 kitchen 4 X Carrier, Starting and Charging 9 X scout car 6 X AA tank 61 X tank 11 X light tank 3 X armoured recovery vehicles 1 X 180 gallon water trailer Organisation. Regimental Headquarters. Car 4 seater 4 X 4 corporal driver IC, driver IC Cruiser Tank 1 Lieutenant Colonel, Adjutant, serjeant, driver mechanic, driver operator. Cruiser Tank 2 Major, Regimental Serjeant Major, operator RS, corporal driver mechanic, driver operator Cruiser Tank 3 Subaltern, serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner operator, driver operator Cruiser Tank 4 Intelligence Officer, intelligence corporal, gunner operator, driver mechanic, driver operator Note that the second in command would not normally be here in action. His action post was at rear headquarters. The subaltern commands the headquarters tanks. Added in early 1945 15cwt halftrack driver IC Headquarters Squadron. Squadron headquarters. Car 15cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) Major (squadron commander), driver IC 15cwt FFW Captain (squadron second in command), Squadron Serjeant Major, driver operator Carries a Wireless set No19. Added early 1945 Car 15cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) Liaison Officer, driver operator AA troop AA Tank 1 Subaltern, driver mechanic, gunner operator, driver operator AA Tank 2 serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner operator, driver operator AA Tank 3 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic AA Tank 4 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic AA Tank 5 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic AA Tank 5 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic AA tank 6 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic Reconnaissance troop Troop headquarters Light tank 1 Subaltern, driver mechanic, gunner operator, driver operator Light tank 2 serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner operator, driver operator Section 1 Light tank 3 serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner operator, gunner mechanic Light tank 4 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic Light tank 5 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic Section 2 Light tank 6 serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner operator, gunner mechanic Light tank 7 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic Light tank 8 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic Section 3 Light tank 9 serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner operator, gunner mechanic Light tank 10 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic Light tank 11 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic Note The reconnaissance troop gained a Captain as its commanding officer in late 1944. It retained the subaltern but lost one serjeant. At the same time it became common for the troop headquarters to have a scout car in place of Light Tank 2. This could be used by either officer for liaison and attending order groups etc, leaving the light tank as a command post. Troop headquarters late 1944 Light tank 1 Captain, driver mechanic, gunner operator, driver operator Scout Car Subaltern, driver operator Intercommunication troop Scout Car 1 serjeant, driver operator Scout Car 2 driver operator, corporal driver IC Scout Car 3 driver operator, corporal driver IC Scout car 4 driver operator, driver IC Scout car 5 driver operator, driver IC Scout car 6 driver operator, driver IC Scout Car 7 driver operator, driver IC Scout Car 8 driver operator, driver IC Scout Car 9 Technical Officer, driver operator, Note. In late 1944 the Technical Officer lost his scout car and was replaced by a corporal driver IC. He got his scout car back in the next establishment. As well as being used for liaison and communication work the scout cars of the intercommunication troop provided step ups in the wireless net. Normally a Wireless set No19 would have a range of ten to twenty miles for voice communication. However in hilly country, or at night because of atmospheric conditions, the range could be very much less. Since armoured cars often operated well ahead and well spread out it was necessary to spread out the scout cars to provide relays for messages. Humber Scout Cars were used for this role. Administrative troop Motorcycle 1 provost serjeant Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Motorcycle 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle 5 motorcyclist Motorcycle 6 motorcyclist Motorcycle 7 motorcyclist Motorcycle 8 batman Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 corporal driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 3 driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 4 driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep) 5 driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 6 Quartermaster, driver IC 15cwt truck GS 1 squadron quartermaster serjeant, driver IC 15cwt truck GS 2 sanitary dutyman, medical officers orderly, driver IC 15cwt truck GS 3 quartermaster serjeant (technical), serjeant (technical), storeman, corporal clerk, driver IC 15cwt truck water water dutyman, driver IC 15cwt halftrack Medical Officer, batman, driver IC 15cwt halftrack driver IC For use as ambulance 15cwt halftrack driver IC For use as ambulance 15cwt halftrack mechanist serjeant, 3 X vehicle mechanic, driver operator Carries fitters and tools 15cwt halftrack equipment repairer, serjeant armourer, 2 X armourer, corporal storeman (technical), driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 transport serjeant, cook ACC (officers mess), butchery dutyman, batman, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 carpenter and joiner, vehicle mechanic, corporal driver operator, 3 X driver mechanics (relief), 3 X gunner operator (relief), 3 X gunner mechanic (relief), driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3 postman, storeman, 3 X batman, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 electrician, gun fitter, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 5 serjeant, sanitary dutyman, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 6 clerk, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 7 clerk, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 8 Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 9 3 X vehicle mechanic, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 10 storeman, clerk, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 11 2 x clerk, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 12 Signal Officer, signal serjeant, serjeant clerk, corporal clerk, driver IC used as regimental office. 3ton 4 X 4 Kitchen serjeant cook, 2 X cook, driver IC Carrier, Staring and Charging electrician, driver mechanic Battery charging and maintenance 3ton 4 X 4 store vehicle mechanic, technical storeman, 3 X batman, driver IC Note. As the campaign progressed some vehicles were replaced by improved versions - the Carrier, Starting and Charging was replaced by a 3ton 4 X 4 Machinery I30. The Carrier was a Loyd and was found to be greatly overloaded and not sufficiently mobile. - GS 12 was replaced by a similar vehicle purpose built as an office. At first these were based on GS lorries but some converted signals vehicles were introduced later. - 15cwt GS and FFW 4 X 2 trucks were gradually replaced by 15cwt 4 X 4 or halftracks. - The 4 X 4 stores lorry was at first an ordinary GS lorry. Later it was a purpose built, or converted, lorry with blind, desk and wire mesh screens to prevent pilfering. By the end of the campaign 6 X 4 stores lorries were being produced. The Squadrons. Each of the three squadrons was organised identically. Squadron headquarters Cruiser Tank 1 Close Support (Sherman 75mm) Major (squadron commander), serjeant, driver operator, gunner operator, driver operator Cruiser Tank 2 Close Support (Sherman 75mm) Captain, corporal driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser Tank 3 (Sherman 75mm) Captain, driver mechanic, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver operator Cruiser Tank 4 (Sherman 75mm) Squadron Serjeant Major, driver mechanic, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver operator Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) driver IC Armoured Recovery Vehicle MkI serjeant vehicle mechanic REME, vehicle mechanic, driver mechanic Note In the re organisation of June 1944 the Squadron headquarters gave up one of its Sherman tanks to make up the number in the troops. The new organisation required sixteen tanks in troops instead of fifteen. The squadron headquarters officially got the tank back in early 1945. It is not known for certain which tank was removed but the probability is that most regiments got it back long before it was officially sanctioned. Administrative troop 15cwt truck GS squadron quartermaster serjeant, serjeant, driver IC 15cwt water water dutyman, driver IC 15cwt halftrack mechanist serjeant, 2 X vehicle mechanic, driver operator (relief) 15cwt halftrack cook (officers mess), driver IC 15cwt halftrack 2 X driver mechanic (relief), driver operator (relief), 2 X gunner operator (relief) 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 storeman, 5 X vehicle mechanic, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 batman, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3 batman, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 batman, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 5 clerk, corporal driver IC, 3ton 4 X 4 GS 6 clerk, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 7 batman, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 8 gunner operator (relief), driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 9 gunner mechanic (relief), sanitary dutyman 3ton 4 X 4 GS10 2 X gunner mechanic (relief), driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 11 corporal driver operator (relief), driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 12 driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 Kitchen corporal cook, 3 X cook, driver IC Carrier, Starting and Charging electrician, driver mechanic 3ton 4 X 4 stores corporal storeman technical, 2 X vehicle mechanic, gun fitter Note. As the campaign progressed some vehicles were replaced by improved versions - the Carrier, Starting and Charging was replaced by a 3ton 4 X 4 Machinery I30. The Carrier was a Loyd and was found to be greatly overloaded and not sufficiently mobile. - 15cwt GS and FFW 4 X 2 trucks were gradually replaced by 15cwt 4 X 4 or halftracks. - The 4 X 4 stores lorry was at first an ordinary GS lorry. Later it was a purpose built, or converted, lorry with storage bins, desk and wire mesh screens to prevent pilfering. The fighting troops. Troop 1 Cruiser tank (Sherman 75mm) Subaltern, corporal driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank (Sherman 75mm) corporal, driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank (Sherman 75mm) corporal driver operator, gunner operator, 2 X gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank (Sherman Firefly) serjeant, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Troop 2 Cruiser tank (Sherman 75mm) Subaltern, corporal driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank (Sherman 75mm) corporal, driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank (Sherman 75mm) corporal driver operator, gunner operator, 2 X gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank (Sherman Firefly) serjeant, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Troop 3 Cruiser tank (Sherman 75mm) Subaltern, corporal driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank (Sherman 75mm) corporal, driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank (Sherman 75mm) corporal driver operator, gunner operator, 2 X gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank (Sherman Firefly) serjeant, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Troop 4 Cruiser tank (Sherman 75mm) Subaltern, corporal driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank (Sherman 75mm) corporal, driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank (Sherman 75mm) corporal driver operator, gunner operator, 2 X gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank (Sherman Firefly) serjeant, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic ARMOURED REGIMENT 1945 This was a universal organisation which applied to Armoured Regiments equipped with Sherman or Comet, and to the previously titled Tank Regiments, now also called Armoured Regiments, with Churchill. Total personnel Lieutenant colonel Major, second in command 4 X Major Captain, adjutant Captain, Technical Officer Captain Liaison Officer 8 X Captain 20 X Subaltern Quartermaster Regimental Serjeant Major Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant Quartermaster Serjeant, technical Mechanist Quartermaster Serjeant 4 X Squadron Serjeant Major 4 X serjeant mechanist orderly room serjeant clerk provost serjeant signal serjeant transport serjeant serjeant technical storeman 29 X serjeant 59 X corporal 523 X trooper Total 670 Plus Medical Officer RAMC 3 X armourer REME 4 X officers mess cooks ACC 15 X cook ACC 6 X vehicle mechanic REME Trades included carpenter and joiner 13 X clerk 94 X driver mechanics 103 X driver operator 5 X electrician equipment repairer gun fitter 92 X gunner mechanics 89 X gunner operator 6 X storeman (technical) 39 X vehicle mechanics 22 X batman butchery dutyman 90 X driver IC medical orderly 6 X motorcycle orderly postman 5 X sanitary dutyman 5 X storeman 4 X water dutyman Total vehicles 8 X motorcycle 1 X Car 4seater 4 X 4 11 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 jeep 6 X 15cwt GS 4 X 15cwt water 1 X 15cwt FFW 15 X 15cwt halftrack 47 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 5 X 3ton 6 X 4 stores 1 X 3ton office 4 X 3ton machinery I30 4 X 3ton kitchen 12 X scout car 6 X AA tank 6 X close support tank 55 X tank 11 X light tank 3 X armoured recovery vehicles 1 X 180 gallon water trailer 3 X 2ton trailer workshop servicing Organisation. Regimental Headquarters. Cruiser Tank 1 (Control) Lieutenant Colonel, Adjutant, serjeant, driver mechanic, driver operator. Carried 2 X Wireless set No19 Cruiser Tank 2 (Rear link) Major, Regimental Serjeant Major, operator RS, corporal driver mechanic, driver operator Carried a Wireless set No19HP Cruiser Tank 3 (Control) Subaltern, serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner operator, driver operator Carried 2 X Wireless set No19 Cruiser Tank 4 Intelligence Officer, intelligence corporal, gunner operator, driver mechanic, driver operator Car 4 seater 4 X 4 corporal driver IC, driver IC 15cwt halftrack driver IC Carried a Wireless set No19 and a Wireless set No19HP Headquarters Squadron. Squadron headquarters. Car 15cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) Major (squadron commander), driver IC Car 15cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) Liaison Officer, driver operator Carried a Wireless set No19 and 2 X Wireless set No38. These had a rebroadcast facility which allowed messages to be passed directly from Armoured Regiment Headquarters to the headquarters of the infantry unit being supported. 15cwt FFW Captain (squadron second in command), Squadron Serjeant Major, driver operator Carries a Wireless set No19. AA troop AA Tank 1 Subaltern, driver mechanic, gunner operator, driver operator AA Tank 2 serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner operator, driver operator AA Tank 3 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic AA Tank 4 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic AA Tank 5 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic AA Tank 5 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic AA tank 6 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic Reconnaissance troop Troop headquarters Light tank 1 Captain, driver mechanic, gunner operator, driver operator Light tank 2 Subaltern, driver mechanic, gunner operator, driver operator Section 1 Light tank 3 serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner operator, gunner mechanic Light tank 4 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic Light tank 5 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic Section 2 Light tank 6 serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner operator, gunner mechanic Light tank 7 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic Light tank 8 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic Section 3 Light tank 9 serjeant, driver mechanic, gunner operator, gunner mechanic Light tank 10 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic Light tank 11 corporal driver operator, gunner mechanic, gunner operator, driver mechanic It was permitted for six of the light tanks to be replaced by scout cars. In practice the Subaltern usually had a scout car to give him greater mobility. When a unit was issued with light tanks having a crew of five one extra gunner mechanic per crew was authorised. Intercommunication troop Scout Car 1 serjeant, driver operator Scout Car 2 driver operator, corporal driver IC Scout Car 3 driver operator, driver IC Scout car 4 driver operator, driver IC Scout car 5 driver operator, corporal driver IC Scout car 6 driver operator, driver IC Scout Car 7 driver operator, driver IC Scout Car 8 driver operator, driver IC Scout Car 9 Technical Officer, driver operator, Administrative troop Motorcycle 1 provost serjeant Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Motorcycle 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle 5 motorcyclist Motorcycle 6 motorcyclist Motorcycle 7 motorcyclist Motorcycle 8 batman Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 corporal driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 3 driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 4 driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep) 5 driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 6 Quartermaster, driver IC 15cwt truck GS 1 squadron quartermaster serjeant, driver IC 15cwt truck GS 2 Quartermaster Serjeant (technical), serjeant technical storeman, corporal clerk, batman, driver IC 15cwt truck GS 3 sanitary dutyman, medical officers orderly, driver IC 15cwt truck water water dutyman, driver IC (trained in water duties) 15cwt halftrack Medical Officer, batman, driver operator Carries a wireless set No19 15cwt halftrack driver IC For collection of casualties 15cwt halftrack driver IC For collection of casualties 15cwt halftrack mechanist serjeant, 3 X vehicle mechanic, driver operator Carries a Wireless set No19 Carries fitters and tools Carries a Bren lmg 15cwt halftrack equipment repairer, serjeant armourer, 2 X armourer, corporal storeman (technical), driver IC Carries a Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 transport serjeant, cook ACC (officers mess), butchery dutyman, batman, driver IC Carries Officers Mess equipment and baggage. Carries a Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 carpenter and joiner, vehicle mechanic, corporal driver operator, 3 X driver mechanics (relief), 3 X gunner operator (relief), 3 X gunner mechanic (relief), driver IC Carries relief personnel, Quartermaster stores and men’s kit Carries a Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3 postman, storeman, 3 X batman, driver IC Carries anti gas stores, baggage and blankets 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 electrician, gun fitter, driver IC Carries petrol Carries a Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 5 serjeant, sanitary dutyman, driver IC Carries petrol Carries a Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 6 clerk, driver IC Carries petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS 7 clerk, driver IC Carries petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS 8 Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant, driver IC Carries ammunition Carries a PIAT 3ton 4 X 4 GS 9 3 X vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries ammunition Carries a Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 10 storeman, clerk, driver IC Carries ammunition Carries a Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 11 2 X clerk, driver IC Carries ammunition Carries a PIAT 3ton 4 X 4 Kitchen serjeant cook, 2 X cook, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Tows a water trailer 3ton 4 X 4 office signal officer, signal serjeant, serjeant clerk, corporal clerk, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Acts as Signal Office. 3ton 4 X 4 Machinery I30 electrician, driver mechanic Battery charging and maintenance 3ton 6 X 4 store, binned (Austin K6) vehicle mechanic, technical storeman, 3 X batman, driver IC Carries tank spares and mechanics tools. Note: The War Establishment notes that five lorries 3ton 4 X 4 GS will be added when the regiment is equipped with tanks mounting 77mm guns (Comet). 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 12 driver IC Carries ammunition 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 13 driver IC Carries ammunition 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 14 driver IC Carries ammunition 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 15 driver IC Carries ammunition 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 16 driver IC Carries ammunition The Squadrons. Each of the three squadrons was organised identically. Squadron headquarters Cruiser Tank 1 Close Support (control) Major (squadron commander), serjeant, driver operator, gunner operator, driver operator Carried 2 X Wireless set No19 plus a Wireless set No18 or 48. Cruiser Tank 2 Close Support (control) Captain, corporal driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Carried 2 X Wireless set No19 plus a Wireless set No18 or 48. Cruiser Tank 3 Captain, driver mechanic, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver operator Cruiser Tank 4 Squadron Serjeant Major, driver mechanic, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver operator Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) driver IC Scout car driver operator. Carried a Wireless set No19 and two Wireless set No38 with a rebroadcast facility. Armoured Recovery Vehicle MkI serjeant vehicle mechanic REME, vehicle mechanic REME, vehicle mechanic, driver mechanic Squadrons also had one Centaur dozer for clearing debris and road blocks. These are not shown on the war establishment. Administrative troop 15cwt truck GS squadron quartermaster serjeant, serjeant, driver IC 15cwt water water dutyman, driver IC (trained in water duties) 15cwt halftrack mechanist serjeant, 2 X vehicle mechanic, driver operator (relief) Carries a Wireless set No19 Carries vehicle mechanics tools 15cwt halftrack cook (offices mess), driver IC Carries Officers Mess equipment 15cwt halftrack 2 X driver mechanic (relief), driver operator (relief), 2 X gunner operator (relief) Carries a Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 storeman, 5 X vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries baggage and squadron office equipment 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 batman, driver IC Carries petrol Carries a Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3 batman, driver IC Carries petrol Carries a Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 batman, driver IC Carries petrol Carries a bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 5 clerk, corporal driver IC, Carries ammunition Carries a Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 6 clerk, driver IC Carries ammunition Carries a Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 7 batman, driver IC Carries ammunition Carries a Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 8 gunner operator (relief), driver IC Carries ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS 9 gunner mechanic (relief), sanitary dutyman Carries ammunition Carries a PIAT 3ton 4 X 4 GS10 2 X gunner mechanic (relief), driver IC Carries ammunition Carries a PIAT 3ton 4 X 4 GS 11 corporal driver operator (relief), driver IC Carries ammunition Carries a PIAT 3ton 4 X 4 GS 12 driver IC Carries ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 Kitchen corporal cook, 3 X cook, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 Machinery I30 electrician, driver mechanic 3ton 6 X 4 stores corporal storeman technical, 2 X vehicle mechanic, gun fitter Tows a servicing trailer The fighting troop. Each troop was identical. Most of the crews were multi skilled and could take over another task in case of casualties. Troop 1 Cruiser tank Subaltern, corporal driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank serjeant, driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank corporal driver operator, gunner operator, 2 X gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Troop 2 Cruiser tank Subaltern, corporal driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank serjeant, driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank corporal driver operator, gunner operator, 2 X gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Troop 3 Cruiser tank Subaltern, corporal driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank serjeant, driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank corporal driver operator, gunner operator, 2 X gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Troop 4 Cruiser tank Subaltern, corporal driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank serjeant, driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank corporal driver operator, gunner operator, 2 X gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Troop 5 Cruiser tank Subaltern, corporal driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank serjeant, driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Cruiser tank corporal driver operator, gunner operator, 2 X gunner mechanic, driver mechanic ECHELONS. In action administrative vehicles were divided into echelons. A (or F) echelon accompanied the tactical headquarters or squadrons. B echelon was held in the rear under the second in command. The echelons could be further divided according to need to become B1, B2 etc. Some vehicles are not shown either because they would be dispersed or their mobile nature means that they would not necessarily be with either echelon. - Motorcycles and jeeps would be dispersed to users or as messengers, orderlies and escorts. - Medical vehicles were dispersed according to the Medical Officers plan. Headquarters squadron administrative troop A (or F) echelon. With the forward regimental headquarters group 15cwt water 15cwt halftrack mechanics 15cwt halftrack armourer 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS petrol squadron A (or F) echelon. With the squadron headquarters group A Squadron 15cwt halftrack mechanics 3ton 4 X 4 GS fitters and mechanics 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS petrol B Squadron 15cwt halftrack mechanics 3ton 4 X 4 GS fitters and mechanics 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS petrol C Squadron 15cwt halftrack mechanics 3ton 4 X 4 GS fitters and mechanics 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS petrol Regimental administrative troop Regimental B echelon 3ton 4 X 4 Kitchen 3ton 4 X 4 Machinery I30 3ton 6 X 4 stores 15cwt GS squadron quartermaster serjeant 15cwt GS Quartermaster serjeant technical 15cwt GS medical officers orderly 3ton 4 X 4 GS transport serjeant and officers mess 3ton 4 X 4 GS carpenter and joiner plus relief crews 3ton 4 X 4 GS gas stores and blankets Squadron B echelons A squadron 15cwt GS squadron quartermaster serjeant 15cwt water 15cwt halftrack officers mess 15cwt halftrack relief crews 3ton 4 X 4 kitchen 3ton 4 X 4 GS relief crews 3ton 4 X 4 GS stores and office 3ton stores Carrier, Starting and Charging B squadron 15cwt GS squadron quartermaster serjeant 15cwt water 15cwt halftrack officers mess 15cwt halftrack relief crews 3ton 4 X 4 kitchen 3ton 4 X 4 GS relief crews 3ton 4 X 4 GS stores and office 3ton stores Carrier, Starting and Charging C squadron 15cwt GS squadron quartermaster serjeant 15cwt water 15cwt halftrack officers mess 15cwt halftrack relief crews 3ton 4 X 4 kitchen 3ton 4 X 4 GS relief crews 3ton 4 X 4 GS stores and office 3ton stores Carrier Starting and Charging As a general rule the regimental transport carried - A complete reload of ammunition for each vehicle. This was 98 rounds per 75mm Sherman and 78 rounds per Firefly. - A complete refill of petrol for all vehicles. Sometimes this was expressed as sufficient petrol for the unit to travel a given number of miles. - A days rations. Vehicles would be replenished each evening. Each day, or more usually each evening a column of vehicles was sent from rear headquarters to the fighting echelons. This carried everything required by the fighting echelons including food, water, petrol, ammunition, post, replacement personnel and any of the thousands of items which an army needs. Replacement tanks were the responsibility of the brigade Armoured Delivery Squadron. Armoured regiments gradually developed a standard procedure and order of march. In the early battles in Normandy there was little finesse, just hard fighting. Later the regiments developed systems of mixed battle groups of all arms. The following is an example of the order of march adopted by a mixed regimental/battalion group. This is based on that used by the Irish Guards and is quoted in John Sanders ‘Guards Armoured Division’. A squadron/ A company battle group. This was the spearhead and had a mix of arms deployed to allow elements to be rushed to the front as required. - Tank troop (A1) - Tank troop (A2) with an infantry platoon riding the tanks. - Royal Engineer troop in halftrack - Tank troop (A3) - Headquarters Group - Tank troop (A4) - Infantry platoon in QLT - 2 X 3” mortars in carriers, from infantry battalion - 2 X 6pdr AT guns towed by carriers from infantry battalion - Carrier section from infantry battalion - Pioneer section from infantry battalion Command and Reconnaissance Group. This contained the relevant tactical headquarters and communications personnel. They were as far forward as was practical. - Headquarters armoured regiment and infantry battalion. - Reconnaissance troop - Wireless rear link Support group. This contained support weapons which could be rapidly deployed in support of the forward squadron/company battle group. - Commanding officers of the infantry support company and specialist platoons. - Remainder of pioneers from infantry battalion - Troop of self propelled AT guns (M10 Achilles) from divisional AT regiment - Carrier section, from infantry battalion - 2 X 3” mortars in carriers, from infantry battalion - 2 X 6pdr AT guns towed by carriers, from infantry battalion - Regimental Aid Post, from armoured regiment B squadron/B company battle group. This was similar in composition to A squadron/company but was more concentrated. It could be called forward to take over the forward role, be deployed to a flank or used in support as events dictated. - Tank squadron (B) - Infantry company in QLT C squadron/C company battle group. This was similar in composition and role to C squadron/company. - Royal Artillery Forward Observation officer - Royal Engineer troop - 2 X 3” mortars in carriers, from infantry battalion - Pioneer detachment, from infantry battalion - 2 X 6pdr AT guns towed by carrier - Tank squadron - Infantry company in QLT Reserve Group. This group contained elements which would normally be required to hold ground gained, form defensive positions and provide logistical support. - Infantry company in QLT - Armoured regiment and infantry battalion main headquarters - Troop of towed 17pdr AT guns from divisional AT regiment - Infantry battalion Regimental Aid post - Field ambulance section from divisional field ambulance RAMC - Infantry A echelon - Medium machine gun platoon from divisional machine gun company - Armoured battalion F echelon B echelons were held at Brigade Headquarters until required. This list shows only the divisional units normally attached to the group. There would probably also be an RAF forward controller with access to the cab rank of rocket firing Typhoons. All the Royal Artillery Forward Observation Officers have access to divisional artillery and any other gun within range. MARKINGS. Armoured regiments were generally well marked. It was important that commanders at all levels should be able to identify the squadrons, troops and individual tanks in order to send orders by wireless. In common with all units the armoured regiment carried an arm of service square with a number. The number could be used in conjunction with the divisional sign to identify the unit. All armoured regiments in brigades of armoured divisions carried a red square with white numerals to identify brigade headquarters and individual regiments. Armoured brigade headquarters Red square with white number 50 Senior regiment Red square with white number 51 Second regiment Red square with white number 52 Junior regiment Red square with white number 53 Headquarters 5 Guards Armoured Brigade Red square with white number 50 2 Armoured Battalion Grenadier Guards Red square with white number 51 1 Armoured Battalion Coldstream Guards Red square with white number 52 2 Armoured Battalion Irish Guards Red square with white number 53 Headquarters 29 Armoured Brigade Red square with white number 50 23 Hussars Red square with white number 51 3 Royal Tank Regiment Red square with white number 52 2 Fife and Forfar Yeomanry Red square with white number 53 Headquarters 4 Armoured Brigade Red square with white number 121 Royal Scots Greys Red square with white number 122 44 Royal Tank Regiment Red square with white number 123 3 County of London Yeomanry Red square with white number 124 The following two brigades had a white bar under the red square. Headquarters 8 Armoured Brigade Red square with white number 993 4/7 Dragoon Guards Red square with white number 994 13/18 Hussars Red square with white number 995 from 29.7.44 24 Lancers Red square with white number 995 until 29.7.44 Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Red square with white number 996 Headquarters 33 Armoured Brigade Red square with white number 172 1 Royal Tank Regiment Red square with white number 173 144 Royal Armoured Corp Red square with white number 174 148 Royal Armoured Corp Red square with white number 175 In addition there were coloured geometric signs to identify regiments and squadrons. Senior regiment Red Second regiment Yellow Junior regiment Blue Geometric shapes used were Regimental Headquarters and headquarters squadron Diamond A Squadron Triangle B Squadron Square C Squadron Circle. These tactical signs were usually carried on the side of the turret, or on the side of the hull in some Sherman units. Some units repeated the sign on the turret rear. Softskin vehicles usually carried the signs on the cab doors. The earlier practice of painting the troop number inside the tactical sign was continued in some regiments. However a new system of large numerals was introduced. Some units used this system from D day and most units adopted it eventually. Tanks were numbered straight through the regiment and bands of numbers were issued to Regimental headquarters and to each squadron. This made it much easier to identify individual tanks and the number was also used as a call sign. Most numbers were in white but some units used red with a white outline. Allied stars were applied to vehicle sides before D Day but units soon learned that they made excellent aiming points, and provided an ideal reference point for range finders. It was unusual to see stars painted on the sides or fronts of armoured vehicle after the first battles. Where possible the star in a circle air recognition sign was carried on the turret roof. Camouflage patterns were uncommon but they were applied by some brigades. THE TANKS The Sherman Tank. or the campaign in NW Europe Britain had considerable numbers of Sherman tanks. The Sherman was not an ideal design since the hull was too high and had vertical sides, whereas the ideal would be low and sloping. Its armour protection was not generous and the gun not a match for the powerful German tank guns. However it was a popular vehicle. Its great advantage over many British designs was that it was reliable. It was also versatile, roomy and available in quantity. Generally if a crew lost a Sherman tank it would be replaced next day by the Forward Delivery Squadron. The US Army favoured standard designs in all equipment. They chose designs which could be built using existing technology, using stock mechanical parts and which could be mass produced. While Britain produced a wide variety of tank designs the US produced only the Sherman and its ancestor the Lee/Grant. There were several major variants of the Sherman and many minor ones but 21 Army Group used only a limited number of these. The most numerous version in British service was the M4A4 which the British called Sherman V. Almost all of the 7,500 produced went to Britain. In order to increase Sherman production the Sherman V was fitted with a Chrysler A57 Multibank engine which was five Chrysler 6 cylinder car engines connected to a common drive shaft. It was reliable when well maintained but maintenance did take a great deal of time on an engine with thirty cylinders and five times as many of everything as most engines had. Sherman V was slightly longer than other Shermans in order to accommodate the engine. All Sherman V were identical. While other versions went through a number of changes all Sherman V were ‘mid production’ types with three piece bolted noses and early 75mm turrets. Armament was the US 75mm gun plus a co axial Browning machine gun and a hull mounted machine gun manned by the co driver. Most Sherman V were given additional armour protection but this was limited to extra plates over the ammunition stowage and small plates welded over the front of the drivers and co drivers positions. Production of the M4A4 (Sherman V) ceased in September 1943 and when reserves of these in Britain ran out some later variants were delivered. Montgomery would not accept the 76mm gun Sherman tanks in 21 Army Group and since these were the preferred US Army type this was what was being produced. The 76mm armed M4A1 was used in Italy together with its partner 105mm howitzer armed M4. There are photographs of these in NW Europe, probably with Canadian units coming from Italy but at least one is with the Polish Armoured Division. Some late model M4 (Sherman 1) were used in 21 Army Group. These were the Sherman Hybrid which had cast front ends while the rest of the hull was the more usual slab sided pattern. These tanks had the Continental radial engine which was not compatible with the Sherman V and further complicated maintenance. There were also some older M4 (Sherman 1) tanks and even small numbers of M4A1 (Sherman II) or M4A2 (Sherman III). Some of these had been converted to DD tanks and then reworked to the original specification. The supply problems with Shermans were somewhat alleviated when 11 Armoured Division traded in its Shermans and received the Comet instead. All Sherman had a crew of five and stowage for 98 rounds of ammunition. In 21 Army Group Shermans were fitted with specially designed stowage bins. A rectangular bin was fitted to the rear of the turret. A long narrow bin was fitted to the hull rear. This was often found in other places, including the hull front, and on other vehicles. The Firefly. The Firefly was originally a fallback design. Realising that a larger and more powerful gun was required several options were considered and rejected. The best anti tank gun available was the 17pdr. This would not fit into a Cromwell or Churchill but it would fit into the Sherman, just. An initial order for 2,100 Sherman was placed early in 1944, first deliveries were in March 1944 and they were being issued to units before D Day. They became available in increasing numbers as the campaign progressed. It was even suggested that when every troop in a British unit had a Firefly they should be produced for the US Army. When they were equipped on a similar scale to the British then every British troop would get a second Firefly. This never happened but it does show that the Firefly was well regarded. To convert a Sherman to a Firefly there were some 50 modifications required. The major ones were - fitting an armoured box on the rear of the turret to hold the wireless set. The 17 pdr needed all the room in the turret for its recoil. - Cutting a hatch in the turret roof for the loaded. The gun breech blocked his access to the single hatch of the normal turret. - Removing the hull machine gun and the co drivers seat. This space was occupied by stowage for 17pdr rounds. - Fitting a 17pdr gun into the mantlet. Initially all Firefly were Sherman V but later some Sherman I Hybrid were also converted. Fireflies had a crew of four and ammunition stowage was reduced to 78 rounds. Sherman Control Tank. The control tank was a normal gun tank but fitted with two Wireless set No19 instead of the usual one. Regimental Headquarters used them and although their fighting ability was impaired it could still use all of its armament. Sherman OP Tank. The OP tank retained its main armament but had reduced ammunition stowage to make space for two Wireless sets No19 and two demountable Wireless sets No38 plus artillery observation staff and equipment. These were issued to artillery regiments from a pool held at Armoured Brigade Headquarters. Sherman Contact Tank. This was a field conversion of a Sherman used by Air Support Signals Units to control tactical aircraft. It had the main armament and ammunition stowage removed and replaced by two Wireless set No19 and one TR 1143 VHF set plus their operators. They were fitted with telescopic aerial masts for the VHF set. Sherman ARV1. Armoured Recovery Vehicles MkI were issued to squadrons and were manned by squadron personnel. They were not REME vehicles, although a serjeant fitter was attached to the squadron and would usually travel in the ARVI. There were ARV1 built on many different chassis to match the variety of tanks in service. In a Sherman regiment in 21 Army Group all ARV1 were Sherman. Most were based on Sherman V but some were Sherman III. All ARVI were built to the same specification and were similarly equipped. No winch was fitted but there was a demountable A frame for lifting. This was assembled on the ground and attached to the front towing eyes. A cable was then attached to a track and the vehicle reversed until the frame was at the correct angle when its support cable was shackled on. - The turret, turret basket and ammunition stowage were removed and the turret ring plated over. - There was a large hatch in the turret ring plating, offset to the left hand side. - The radio was relocated to the right hand side of the hull and the aerials relocated to the right hand side also. - The hull machine gun was retained. The following recovery equipment was carried - A frame jib booms stowed on each side just above the lowed edge of the hull. - A swivelling draught bar for Hollebone towing bars. This was normally stowed on the engine deck until needed, when it was attached to the towing eyes on the lower rear hull. - Hollebone towing bars stowed on the left hand side towards the rear. - Six sets of earth spikes and holdfast anchors - A 15ton snatchblock stowed on the hull front - Track grousers carried on each side. - 100 feet of steel cable stowed round the turret ring. - Jacking blocks and gun planks carried on the rear deck. Sherman with dozer attachment. By April 1945 all armoured regiments seem to have had tanks equipped with dozer blades. These were mainly to clear away rubble and road blocks which would otherwise hold up an advancing armoured column. There had been little demand for these in the advance across France and the Low Countries, and little demand over the winter but the advance into Germany would provide plenty of work. One dozer equipped tank was issued to each squadron headquarters. It is not clear whether this tank was in addition to the four squadron headquarter tanks or if one of the existing headquarter tanks had the attachment fitted. The US manufactured dozer attachment was fairly easy to fit and did not greatly impair the fighting ability of the tank. The armament and ammunition stowage was not affected. The modifications included - Fixing attachment points to the forward two suspension units on each side. - Fitting a frame for a hydraulic cylinder on the nose of the tank. - Fitting a hydraulic reservoir inside the tank. - Leading a hydraulic pipe through the right hand side light fitting to the cylinder. The dozer blade and mechanism could then be rapidly fitted by attaching the arms to the fixing points on the suspension units and connecting the hydraulic cylinder. The blade and mechanism could be jettisoned from inside the tank if necessary. All the working parts and the hydraulic pipe were armour protected. The British decided that the blade could not be raised sufficiently high to allow the tank to negotiate rough country and ‘improved’ the design by making it possible to raise the dozer blade and arms vertically above the tank. No doubt this gave better ground clearance and better balance but prevented the turret and gun rotating and made the vehicle highly visible. Sherman with 3” rockets. C Squadron of 1st battalion Coldstream Guards fitted 3” rocket launching rails to some of their Sherman tanks in time for the Rhine Crossing in April 1945. The 3” rocket was normally fired from Typhoon fighter bombers and the 60 pond warhead was very effective against armour. The Guards fitted a launching rail on each side of the Sherman turret and they were aimed by traversing the turret. When fired from a stationary Sherman the maximum range was 800 yards but the effective range more like 400 yards. They were most effective against road blocks and anti tank guns. There was no opportunity to try them against tanks. Sherman Rear Link. It is known that there were Sherman rear Link tanks which were normal gun tanks, retaining armament and ammunition, but fitted with a Wireless set No 19 High Powered. These were used as relay stations when the armoured regiment was too far from brigade headquarters for the regimental headquarters sets to be effective. It is known that they were used on the advance across France and the Low Countries but they do not seem to be on the establishment of regiments or brigades. Probably they were Royal Signals but with RAC crews and attached to brigades as required. When they were used two Rear Link tanks formed the relay, receiving and transmitting signals on the regimental frequency in one vehicle and automatically re transmitting and receiving on the brigade frequency in the other vehicle. The Comet The Comet was an improved version of the Cromwell family of tanks. It was sufficiently different to have the type number A34. The main differences were - A newly designed turret which, although having vertical sides and being constructed from rectangular plates, was more rounded in plan view. The turret mantlet was improved. In particular giving greater protection to the trunnions and eliminating the shell trap under the gun. - A new gun was fitted. This was the 77mm which was a modified 17 pdr gun. This gave nearly the same performance as the anti tank version. - Return rollers were fitted so that the top run of track did not sag and catch the road wheels or jump and foul the trackguards. The Christy suspension allowed all wheels to retract at the same time thus causing sag in the top run. Other suspension systems compensated so that if one wheel retracted another balanced it. Like the Cromwell the Comet was powered by a Rolls Royce Meteor petrol engine. Because of the increased weight of 33 tons the maximum speed was 29 mph. Maximum armour thickness remained 101mm. Two BESA machine guns were carried, one co axial and one ball mounting in the hull front. Crew was five. Wireless set No19 was carried. There were minor variations. - Very early vehicles had pressed fluting in the track guards and stowage box covers. This was as for the Cromwell was but was eliminated on later production - Late models had a type B hull which differed only in having a squared off profile at the rear. This was because the exhaust outlet grills in the hull rear were plated over and fishtail exhausts fitted. - Earlier vehicles, in common with the Cromwell, had suffered from the fact that the open exhausts had not only allowed vertical plumes of exhaust to betray their position, but when accelerating or changing gear flames could leap out as well. Earlier vehicle, with the type A hull, had Normandy cowls fitted to deflect exhaust fumes and flame. These were as for the Cromwell but had to be divided in the centre to accommodate the gun barrel when locked to the rear. Centurian. Once the design of the Comet was completed a new specification was drawn up for a heavier tank, A41. This called for a tank of up to 45 tons, with 4 inch frontal armour, a Rolls Royce Meteor engine with Merrit Brown transmission, and 17pdr gun. It would have a co axial machine gun but no hull machine gun. As the design progressed two innovations were introduced: - A 20mm cannon in place of the co axial machine gun. The 17 pdr did not for high explosive shells so the 20mm was seen as a way of engaging softskin vehicles and anti tank guns. - The Christy suspension used on most British cruiser tanks was not thought sufficiently stron so a Horstman suspension was used. As finally produced the Centurian weighed some 43 tons, was 25 feet long, had sloped frontal armour and a boat shaped body to protect against mine blast. The driver sat in the centre and no co driver was carried. Side skirts were fitted as protection against hand held anti tank weapons. In April 1945 six prototypes existed and it was decided that they should be rushed to 21 Army Group to gain battle experience. Crews were provided by Guards armoured regiments and a Guards Captain commanded the detachment. The Centurians arrived just too late and joined 7 Armoured Division in mid May. Bridgelayers. These are included here since they were on the establishments of Armoured Brigades and Tank Brigades. Valentine Bridgelayer. The Valentine Bridgelayer was a Valentine MkII with the turret and ammunition stowage removed and hydraulic equipment installed in the hull. The bridge was Bridge, Tank, 30ft, No1, which was actually 34 foot long and could carry a 30ton load. The bridge was a scissors type which folded in the centre for transport. When laying the hydraulically operated arm lifted the bridge to the vertical position, at which point the bottom of the arm rested on the ground. The bridge was then opened up and laid in position. The Valentine Bridgelayer was issued to armoured brigade headquarters but was not heavy enough for Churchill equipped tank brigades. Churchill Bridgelayer. The Churchill Bridgelayer was a Churchill MkII or MkIV with the turret and ammunition stowage removed. Hydraulic equipment was installed in the hull to work the bridge launching gear. The bridge itself was Bridge, Tank, 30ft, No2 which could carry loads up to 60 tons. This was carried on supports on top of the hull. For launching a hydraulic operated arm lifted the bridge and lowered it to the ground in front of the laying vehicle. As the arm reached the vertical its lower end reached the ground and supported the weight. The Churchill Bridgelayer was initially issued to tank brigades and later also to tank squadrons. They were particularly useful in maintaining mobility in the Low Countries where there were many drainage ditches to cross, and in Germany where there many road craters to cross. The bridge could be rapidly recovered by reversing the laying procedure