Ghq liaison regiment (phantom)

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  1. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    GHQ LIAISON REGIMENT (PHANTOM)

    GHQ Liaison Regiments role was to keep Army Group Headquarters informed of the position
    and actions of units. Information passed directly from patrols with forward troops to Army
    Group, but intermediate headquarters, army and corps, were also able to share it.

    This page explains in detail how the regiment operated.

    GHQ LIAISON REGIMENT (PHANTOM)

    GHQ Liaison Regiment. War Establishment III/253/1. August 1943
    GHQ Liaison Regiment. War Establishment XIV/1236/1. July 1944
    GHQ Liaison Regiment. War Establishment XIV/1236/2. September 1944
    Reserve Squadron, GHQ Liaison Regiment. War Establishment III/304/1. January 1944
    Reserve Squadron, GHQ Liaison Regiment. War Establishment III/304/2. March 1945


    Phantom grew and developed from a small unit formed in 1939/40. At that time the BEF was to work with the French and Belgian armies. A potential danger was that air strikes ordered by one of the three armies would actually land on one of the allies rather than the enemy because of the difficulty of knowing precisely where all units were. The Air Mission was formed to reduce this risk by having officers at Belgian Army Headquarters and equipped to find out where the forward Belgian units were and report back to GHQ.

    By 1944 Phantom, or GHQ Liaison Regiment, had grown very considerably. There was now to be a squadron for each army, a captain’s patrol for each corps and a subaltern’s patrol for each division. The role was to keep headquarters informed of the location and operations of all units. This information would eventually reach GHQ by normal methods but Phantom could provide it almost instantly. This was important in fast moving mobile warfare.

    It was a difficult unit to fit into the organisation of the army. It needed to have an arm to represent it at the War Office and so was initially attached to the Infantry. Signals might have seemed more logical but it was feared that then the Royal Signals would siphon off the highly trained operators for other purposes. Later Phantom was transferred to the Reconnaissance Corp which was a logical move since Phantom carried out many of the roles of the reconnaissance unit, but was providing information about its own forces rather than the enemy. When the Reconnaissance Corp became a sub division of the Royal Armoured Corp Phantom became a part of that arm also. However there was never any doubt that it was virtually independent and working to GHQ.

    Eventually as well as providing patrols for every corps and division of 1 Army and 2 Canadian Army Phantom also provided patrols for US forces, 1 Airborne Army and for the SAS.

    Since the members of Phantom were intelligent and literate there are several books written about its work. The most informative is probably ‘Phantom was there’ by R.J.T Hills, published in 1951. This gives a lot of small scale detail including the precise personnel and tasks in patrols. It also seems that when the fighting was over Phantom left its records in exceptionally good order and these are available at the Public Record Office.

    As with many units the actual organisation was flexible and was changed according to circumstances.

    Most units in the army had Royal Signals attached to them and the Royal Signals had their own War Establishment. In the case of Phantom the Royal Signals personnel are an integral part of the unit and are included in the War Establishment.

    GHQ LIAISON REGIMENT (Phantom)
    Personnel.
    The strength of the Phantom organisation lay not in its equipment, vehicles or even in its training. It depended on the personal qualities of its personnel. A large proportion of the other ranks were from the Royal Signals but the rest came from almost every branch of the army.

    The most important role was that of the patrol officer. At Corp level these were captains but at division level they were lieutenants. In either case they had to win the confidence of the General Officer Commanding, and be able to obtain information from senior staff officers without interrupting important work or otherwise making a nuisance of themselves. For this sort of work officers did not need to be regular army but were what Monty called ‘bright young chaps’.

    There were many famous names to be found in Phantom, many of them no longer well known perhaps. David Niven was a Major commanding a squadron until he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and sent to work at General Eisenhower’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force.

    Below is a list of the units to which Phantom patrol leaders in March 1945 belonged.
    Seaforth Highlanders
    Royal Armoured Corp
    Royal Tank Regiment
    Royal Artillery
    East Surreys
    Reconnaissance Corp
    12 Royal Lancers
    Somerset Light Infantry
    Lovat Scouts
    Welsh Guards
    Sherwood Foresters
    Rifle Brigade
    Durham Light Infantry
    Royal Engineers
    Wiltshires
    Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

    There were of course many more units represented.
    The commanding Officer was from the 11 Hussars.
    The commander of F squadron was Major the Honourable J. J. Astor who was from the Life Guards, as was the Regimental Serjeant Major.

    All officers and men wore the badge of the unit to which they belonged. Vehicles carried a 9 inch black square with the letter P in white.

    Uniform was normal battledress but the RAC black beret was normally worn. Phantom was organisationally part of the RAC and the beret was the usual wear for personnel wearing earphones for much of the time.

    Patrols with US Army units often wore US uniform in whole or part. Sometimes they wore US formation badges but kept their own rank badges. An exception was the patrol with the US 17th Airborne Division who wore complete US uniforms including US rank badges. Although British uniforms were not much like those of the enemy it paid not to take risks when operating near the front with troops of a different nationality.

    GHQ LIAISON REGIMENT JULY 1944
    War Establishment XIV/1236/1. July 1944.
    This establishment superseded War Establishment III/253/1. September 1943. The only changes were to the attached personnel.
    Eight signalmen and drivers RS were deleted.
    ACC personnel remained at fourteen but with three corporals and ten men instead of one corporal and thirteen men.

    The regiment was organised as follows
    Headquarters
    Headquarters
    Operations and Intelligence Troop
    Administration Troop
    Signals Troop
    Army Group Squadron
    Headquarters
    3 X Captains Patrol
    3 X Subalterns Patrol
    J Troop
    2 X Army Squadron each
    Operations and Intelligence Troop
    Administrative Troop
    Signal Troop
    6 X Captains Patrol
    3 X Subalterns Patrol
    J Troop

    Personnel
    Lieutenant Colonel, commanding officer
    Major, second in command
    3 X Majors, squadron commanders
    3 X Majors, in charge of intelligence
    Captain, adjutant
    Captain, technical officer
    2 X Captain, administrative
    21 X Captain, intelligence
    26 X subaltern, intelligence
    Quartermaster

    Regimental Serjeant Major
    Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant
    3 X Squadron Serjeant Major

    2 X squadron quartermaster serjeant
    serjeant clerk
    serjeant mechanist
    3 X intelligence serjeant
    serjeant storeman, technical
    4 X serjeant
    65 X corporal (including seven lance serjeant)
    281 X trooper (including thirty two lance corporal)
    Total 423

    Attached
    Royal Signals
    Major
    3 X Captain
    4 X Subaltern
    Company Serjeant Major
    2 X company quartermaster serjeant, foreman of signals
    company quartermaster serjeant
    6 X serjeant
    37 X corporal (including eight lance serjeant)
    145 signalman and driver (including thirteen lance corporal)
    Total Royal Signals 200

    Army Catering Corp
    4 X corporal cook
    13 X cook
    Total ACC 14

    Total including attached 637.


    Trades
    14 X clerk
    2 X driver mechanic
    174 X driver operator
    electrician
    equipment repairer
    2 X storeman, technical
    34 X vehicle mechanic
    2 X batman
    12 X batman driver
    5 X corporal for administrative duties
    19 X driver IC
    4 X medical officer’s orderly
    38 X motorcyclist
    12 X orderly (also for duty as batman)
    3 X sanitary dutyman
    4 X storeman
    3 X water dutyman

    Royal Signals trades
    2 X clerk
    15 X despatch rider
    38 X driver mechanic
    6 X electrician
    12 X equipment repairer
    6 X linesman
    91 X operator, wireless and line
    2 X storeman, technical
    2 X vehicle mechanic
    2 X batman
    4 X batman driver
    2 X driver of vehicle

    Transport
    106 X motorcycle
    42 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
    5 X car 4seater 4 X 4
    19 X 15cwt GS
    36 X 15cwt wireless house
    38 X 15cwt 4 X 4 personnel
    11 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS
    4 X 3ton 4 X 4 troop carrier
    10 X 3ton 4 X 4 Wireless ‘I’
    3 X 3ton 4 X 4 cipher
    57 X 10cwt trailer
    3 X water trailer
    3 X 1ton trailer

    Headquarters GHQ Liaison Regiment
    This was a fairly static formation and was usually situated fairly close to Main Headquarters 21 Army Group. It could be accommodated in tents but for much of the autumn and winter of 1944/45 it was situated in the Club House of a golf course near Waterloo in Belgium. There were offices upstairs but the downstairs area consisted on two large rooms. One was used for Operations and Intelligence while the other was the Signals Room.

    Headquarters and Operations and Intelligence troop
    This was the heart, and brain, of the Phantom operation. Here there were arrays of maps showing the position of every unit down to battalion size, plus information about the units and their operations. There were also maps showing the operational intentions of major units in 21 Army Group.

    The Operation Room was always manned by the two duty intelligence officers and a senior officer. These officers
    - supervised the display of information on the maps
    - decided if the information was confirmed or not
    - evaluated incoming information
    - filtered the information so as to select the most relevant
    - passed selected information to Main Headquarters 21 Army Group.

    The officers were assisted by intelligence serjeants, intelligence corporals and others, plus a teleprinter operator with a direct line to Main Headquarters 21 Army group.


    Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Officer
    Major, Second in Command
    Major, Intelligence
    Captain, Adjutant
    Captain, Technical Officer
    Captain, Intelligence
    2 X Subaltern, Intelligence

    Regimental Serjeant Major
    intelligence serjeant
    4 X corporal
    6 X trooper
    3 X batman driver
    3 X intelligence dutyman
    2 X motorcyclist.
    2 X batman
    orderly, for duties as batman for Regimental Serjeant Major
    2 X driver IC

    Motorcycle 1
    intelligence serjeant
    Motorcycle 2
    intelligence dutyman
    Motorcycle 3
    intelligence dutyman
    Motorcycle 4
    motorcyclist
    Motorcycle 5
    motorcyclist

    Car 4seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD) 1
    Lieutenant Colonel, orderly, batman, driver IC
    Car 4seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD) 2
    Major, batman, intelligence dutyman, driver IC

    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 1
    Technical Officer, Regimental Serjeant Major, batman driver,
    Tows a 10cwt trailer
    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 2
    Adjutant, batman driver
    Tows a 10cwt trailer
    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 3
    Captain Intelligence Officer, batman driver
    Tows a 10cwt trailer

    15cwt 4 X 4 (White) 1
    Intelligence Subaltern, 2 X driver operator
    Carries a Wireless set No22
    Carries a Bren lmg
    15cwt 4 X 4 (White) 2
    Intelligence Subaltern, 2 X driver operator
    Carries a Wireless set No22
    Carries a Bren lmg
    3ton 4 X 4 Troop Carrying
    Intelligence Major, 5 X clerk, driver mechanic
    Tows a 1ton trailer

    Note: Previously the Regimental Serjeant Major had a motorcycle. This is deleted in WE XIV/1236/1.


    Administrative troop
    This troop was responsible for the routine administration and housekeeping for the Regimental Headquarters. It was commanded by the Quartermaster.

    Quartermaster
    Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant
    serjeant clerk
    serjeant technical storeman
    2 X corporal
    13 X trooper
    clerk
    2 X cook
    2 X driver IC
    medical orderly
    sanitary dutyman
    storeman
    water dutyman

    Motorcycle
    medical officers orderly
    15cwt GS 1
    2 X cook, driver IC
    Tows a 10cwt trailer
    15cwt GS 2
    water dutyman, sanitary dutyman, driver IC
    Tows a water trailer
    15cwt GS 3
    serjeant mechanist, electrician, driver IC
    Tows a 10cwt trailer
    15cwt GS 4
    serjeant clerk, serjeant technical storeman, equipment repairer
    Tows a 10cwt trailer
    3ton 4 X 4 GS
    Quartermaster, Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant, clerk, storeman, orderly, driver mechanic

    Note: Previously the Quartermaster has a motorcycle. This is deleted in WE XIV/1236/1.


    Signals troop
    The major part of this troop was placed next to the Operations and Intelligence troop. Here were the Duty Signals Officer and serjeant Royal Signals, plus sufficient signalmen to man the links with squadrons. The actual transmitters and receivers were situated a mile or so away and connected by telephone line. This enabled the transmitter to have the best available site and avoided giving away the position of the headquarters. Initially communications were provided between the headquarters and
    - Tactical headquarters 21 Army Group via the Army Group Squadron
    - Main Headquarters 21 Army group
    - 1 Canadian Army via B squadron
    - 2 Army via A Squadron
    Later links were also provided for the flanking US Army formations
    - US 12 Army Group Main and Tactical Headquarters via L Squadron.

    Royal Signals personnel
    Major
    Captain
    Subaltern
    Company Serjeant Major
    company quartermaster serjeant
    serjeant
    2 X clerk
    5 X despatch rider
    7 X driver mechanic
    electrician
    instrument mechanic
    2 X linesman
    16 X operator
    batman
    2 X batman driver
    2 X driver of vehicle

    plus
    10 X trooper for general duties
    cook ACC

    Motorcycle 1
    Company Serjeant Major
    Motorcycle 2
    despatch rider
    Motorcycle 3
    despatch rider
    Motorcycle 4
    despatch rider
    Motorcycle 5
    despatch rider

    Car 4seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD)
    Major, company quartermaster serjeant, batman driver

    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
    Captain, batman driver
    Tows a 10cwt trailer

    15cwt GS
    2 X lineman, driver IC
    Tows a 10cwt trailer

    15cwt Wireless House 1
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    This vehicle acts as anchor for Army.
    15cwt Wireless House 2
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    This vehicle acts as anchor for Army.
    15cwt Wireless House 3
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    This vehicle acts as anchor for Army.
    15cwt Wireless House 4
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    This vehicle acts as anchor for Army.
    15cwt Wireless House 5
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    This vehicle acts as anchor for Army.

    3ton 4 X 4 GS 1
    2 X clerk, operator, driver IC
    Carries stores
    Carries a Bren lmg
    3ton 4 X 4 GS 2
    electrician, cook, batman, driver mechanic
    Carries stores and spares
    Carries a 4kw charging set

    3ton 4 X 4 Cipher
    Lieutenant, instrument mechanic

    3ton 4 X 4 Wireless I
    serjeant, driver mechanic
    Carries 6 X R107 recievers

    In January 1945 Regimental Headquarters began to broadcast daily situation reports. These were sent in code and could be received by all units in 21 Army Group. To do this the Signals troop gained a powerful Golden Arrow 4Kw transmitter together with its train of vehicles and associated personnel.


    Army Squadron
    There were two Army Squadrons, one for 1 Canadian Army and one for 2 British Army.

    Squadron Headquarters
    The squadron headquarters was located at Army Headquarters and had a total of eleven officers and 83 other ranks.

    Squadron Headquarters received information from the patrols and displayed it on a map for the use of the Army Commander and forwarded information to General Headquarters Liaison Regimental Headquarters. Each patrol reported to a separate operator at Squadron headquarters so that there was no delay in receiving information. All patrols could report at the same time if necessary. Messages arrived in ciphered Morse, were written down by the operator and handed to a cipher clerk. If the information quoted a confirmed source it was marked on the ‘confirmed map’ and on the Army situation map. If the information was unconfirmed it was shown on the ‘unconfirmed map until such time as it could be confirmed. Information from J patrols was generally unconfirmed and Squadron Headquarters might ask the Phantom patrol to obtain confirmation.

    In addition
    - One copy of all messages was sent to Air Support Headquarters based at Army
    Headquarters and passed on to the relevant 2 Tactical Air Force group.
    - One copy of all confirmed Phantom patrol reports was sent to Army operations staff.
    - Any message on which action might be taken was sent to the relevant Army staff.
    - Every day the squadron sent out a statement giving the location of units and their fighting
    states.

    Operations and Intelligence troop
    Major, Commanding officer
    Major, Intelligence
    2 X Captain, Intelligence
    4 X Subaltern, Intelligence
    intelligence serjeant
    5 X corporal
    13 X trooper

    Motorcycle 1
    Intelligence Subaltern
    Motorcycle 2
    Squadron Serjeant Major
    Motorcycle 3
    intelligence serjeant
    Motorcycle 4
    motorcyclist
    Motorcycle 5
    motorcyclist


    Car 4seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD)
    Major (intelligence), Intelligence Subaltern, driver IC

    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
    2 X Intelligence Subaltern, batman driver
    Tows a 10cwt trailer

    15cwt GS
    3 X clerk, driver IC
    Carries a Bren lmg
    Tows a 10cwt trailer

    15cwt 4 X 4 Personnel 1
    Major, 2 X driver operator
    Carries a Wireless set No22
    15cwt 4 X 4 Personnel 2
    Intelligence Captain, orderly, driver operator
    Carries a Wireless set No22

    3ton 4 X 4 Troop Carrying
    Intelligence Captain, 4 X intelligence dutyman, orderly, driver IC
    Carries a Bren lmg
    Tows a 1ton trailer


    Administrative troop

    Captain
    squadron quartermaster serjeant
    4 X corporal
    12 X trooper
    cook

    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
    Captain, batman driver
    Tows a 10cwt trailer

    15cwt GS 1
    cook, orderly, driver IC
    Tows a 10cwt trailer
    15cwt GS 2
    water dutyman, sanitary dutyman, driver IC
    Tows a water trailer
    15cwt GS 3
    2 X vehicle mechanic
    Tows a 10cwt trailer
    15cwt GS 4
    technical storeman, orderly, administrative corporal, medical officers orderly
    Tows a 10cwt trailer

    3ton 4 X 4 GS
    squadron quartermaster serjeant, clerk, storeman, orderly, driver IC
    Carries a Bren lmg


    Signals troop
    All personnel, except cooks, and vehicles were Royal Signals

    Captain
    Subaltern
    company quartermaster serjeant (foreman of signals)
    2 X serjeant
    9 X corporal
    42 X signalman and driver
    batman driver
    2 X driver
    2 X cook

    Trades
    5 X despatch rider
    9 X driver mechanic
    2 X electrician
    5 X equipment repairer
    2 X lineman
    21 X operator, wireless and line
    storeman
    vehicle mechanic

    Motorcycle 1
    Lieutenant
    Motorcycle 2
    vehicle mechanic
    Motorcycle 3
    foreman of signals
    Motorcycle 4
    despatch rider
    Motorcycle 5
    despatch rider
    Motorcycle 6
    despatch rider
    Motorcycle 7
    despatch rider
    Motorcycle 8
    despatch rider

    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
    Captain, batman driver
    Tows a 10cwt trailer

    15cwt GS
    2 X lineman
    Tows a 10cwt trailer
    This vehicle for cable detachment

    15cwt Wireless House 1
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    This vehicle for Rear Link to Army Group
    15cwt Wireless House 2
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    This vehicle for anchor to No1, No2 and No3 patrols
    15cwt Wireless House 3
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    This vehicle for anchor to No4, No5 and No6 Patrols
    15cwt Wireless House 4
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    This vehicle for anchor to No7, No8 and No9 Patrols
    15cwt Wireless House 5
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    This vehicle for anchor to J Troop
    15cwt Wireless House 6
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    This vehicle for J stepping set at Army
    15cwt Wireless House 7
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    This vehicle for guard set at Army

    3ton 4 X 4 Wireless I
    2 X serjeant, driver mechanic
    Carries 6 X R107 receivers
    3ton 4 X 4 Cipher
    electrician, instrument mechanic

    3ton 4 X 4 GS 1
    4 X instrument mechanics, storeman, 2 X cook, driver IC
    Carries a bren lmg
    This vehicle for Technical Workshop
    3ton 4 X 4 GS 2
    electrician, driver mechanic
    Carries a 4Kw charging set


    9 X Patrol
    War Establishment XIV/1236/1 does not distinguish between patrols led by a Captain and those led by a Subaltern and all nine patrols were identical

    Motorcycle
    driver operator
    Motorcycle
    motorcyclist
    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep)
    driver operator, vehicle mechanic
    Carries wireless receiver R107
    Tows a 10cwt trailer
    15cwt 4 X 4 armoured truck (White)
    Intelligence Officer (Captain or Subaltern) 2 X operator
    Carries Wireless set No22



    later
    6 X Captains patrol
    This was assigned to a Corp Headquarters. Its duties were much as for the Subalterns patrol but it included listening into the Phantom and J patrol rear links and deciphering the messages before passing them on to the Corp staff. One extra vehicle and four extra personnel were provided for this duty. This service meant that the Corp staff usually knew about the position of its divisions by Phantom communications before it learned of them direct from the divisional staff.

    Motorcycle
    despatch rider
    Motorcycle
    cipher corporal
    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep)
    Subaltern, batman driver
    Carries wireless receiver R107
    Tows a 10cwt trailer
    15cwt 4 X 4 armoured truck (White)
    2 X operator, cipher clerk, driver mechanic
    Carries Wireless set No22 (later Wireless set Canadian No9)
    and 2 X wireless receiver R107
    15cwt Wireless House
    2 X operator, driver IC
    Carries 2 X wireless receiver R107
    This was a later addition not shown on the original War Establishment.


    3 X Subalterns patrol
    This was assigned to a divisional headquarters according to need. Usually they were assigned to armoured division. In theory they would be assigned for a specific action but every effort was made to leave them in situ so that they could form good relationships with the divisional staff. This was a responsible position for a subaltern.

    At divisional level a Phantom patrol obtained information from whatever source was available. The means by which information was gathered was at the discretion of the patrol officer. Often information cam direct from divisional staff officers and the divisional situation map. On occasion the patrol officer would go further forward, especially if there was some confusion of if Phantom headquarters had asked for specific information. When the information was obtained it was transmitted as soon as possible directly to Phantom Squadron headquarters based at Army headquarters. Information was sent in high grade cipher by Morse wireless. If possible the transmission quoted
    - the source of the information
    - the time at which it was obtained
    - the rank and appointment of the staff officer providing the information.

    Note that information was not transmitted from the divisional patrol to Corp Headquarters but it was usual for the Captains patrol at Corp headquarters to listen into transmissions and provide a copy of the reports sent to Army Headquarters to the Corp staff.


    Motorcycle
    despatch rider
    Motorcycle
    cipher corporal
    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep)
    Subaltern, batman driver
    Carries wireless receiver R107
    Tows a 10cwt trailer
    15cwt 4 X 4 armoured truck (White)
    2 X operator, driver mechanic
    Carries Wireless set No22 (later Wireless set Canadian No9) and wireless receiver
    R107

    The six other ranks were barely sufficient to maintain continuous operating. The two operators could take shifts but it would often be necessary for one of the other personnel to relieve them in quieter periods. The same was true of the cipher corporal who would need some assistance if 24 hour operation was required. The driver mechanics were generally kept buy. There may not have been much driving but the White, jeep, two motorcycles, generator and charging engine all needed maintenance. Usually the driver batmen doubled as a cook for the patrol, the despatch rider doubled as coder, and either or both stood wireless watches. There were quieter periods between actions however.


    J Troop
    This was assigned to an armoured division. Since armoured divisions relied heavily on wireless for the issuing of orders and making of reports, listening to wireless transmissions gave an immediate, but not always full or accurate, picture of an action. The heart of the J patrol was not the officer but a team of wireless listeners with R107 receivers. Each R107 receiver was tuned to a different command net and important information was recorded (in the sense of being written down) and sent to Phantom Squadron headquarters. Such information was treated as unconfirmed.

    J patrols needed to be well forward, within five miles of the fighting in order to be sure of good reception from the Wireless set No19 most often used by armoured units.

    3 X Subaltern
    serjeant
    5 X corporal
    30 X trooper
    cook

    Royal Signals
    3 X corporal operator, wireless and line
    6 X operator, wireless and line
    3 X driver mechanic


    Motorcycle 1
    driver operator
    Motorcycle 2
    driver operator
    Motorcycle 3
    driver operator
    Motorcycle 4
    motorcyclist
    Motorcycle 5
    motorcyclist
    Motorcycle 6
    serjeant

    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
    administrative corporal
    Tows a 10cwt trailer
    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
    cook, batman driver
    Tows a 10cwt trailer
    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
    vehicle mechanic, batman driver
    Tows a 10cwt trailer

    15cwt Wireless House 1
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    Carries a Wireless No22 set
    Carries a Bren lmg
    15cwt Wireless House 2
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    Carries a Wireless No22 set
    Carries a Bren lmg
    15cwt Wireless House 3
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    Carries a Wireless No22 set
    Carries a Bren lmg

    15cwt Wireless House 4
    2 X driver operator
    Carries 2 X R107 recievers
    15cwt Wireless House 5
    3 X driver operator
    Carries 2 X R107 recievers

    15cwt 4 X 4 Personnel 1
    Intelligence Subaltern, 2 X driver operator
    Carries a Wireless set No22
    Carries a Bren lmg
    15cwt 4 X 4 Personnel 2
    Intelligence Subaltern, 2 X driver operator
    Carries a Wireless set No22
    Carries a Bren lmg
    15cwt 4 X 4 Personnel 3
    Intelligence Subaltern, 2 X driver operator
    Carries a Wireless set No22
    Carries a Bren lmg

    3ton 4 X 4 Wireless ‘I’ 1
    5 X driver operator
    Carries 4 X R107 recievers
    Carries a Bren lmg
    3ton 4 X 4 Wireless ‘I’ 2
    5 X driver operator
    Carries 4 X R107 recievers
    Carries a Bren lmg
    3ton 4 X 4 Wireless ‘I’ 3
    5 X driver operator
    Carries 4 X R107 recievers
    Carries a Bren lmg

    The organisation of the patrols remained constant but the number of patrols per squadron was variable. Phantom was always flexible and mobile, and as the campaign progressed the growing demand for patrols meant that
    - the depot was emptied of any personnel who could fill a role
    - headquarters had to shed staff to fill up patrol establishments
    - some US Army personnel were used in Phantom patrols operating with the US Army

    For the Rhine crossing A Squadron with 2 Army fielded a total of twenty three patrols whereas its establishment was nine plus two J patrols. Six patrols were borrowed from B squadron, normally with 1 Canadian Army, and the rest for formed form scratch (headquarters and depot personnel).



    Army Group Squadron
    Army Group Squadron Headquarters remained at 21 Army Group Tactical Headquarters and performed for that headquarters the same functions that the Army Squadrons performed for Army Headquarters. All confirmed information was displayed on the confirmed map and a fully up to date picture was available for the Commander in Chief at all times. Information was received directly from Phantom Regimental Headquarters and the two Army Squadron Headquarters so that the maps at 21 Army Group Headquarters, Army Headquarters and Corp Headquarters all agreed.

    This Squadron was originally L Squadron which served with 52 Division in Scotland, training for an invasion of Norway which never happened. It was smaller than the Army Squadrons, having only six patrols.

    GHQ Liaison Regiment was reorganised in 1943. At that time the six squadrons in the UK were intended to provide one squadron for each Corp Headquarters. It was later decided that squadrons should report to Army headquarters and the previous six squadrons were re organised into two large squadrons. This re organisation left two of the previous smaller corps squadrons which were used for special purposes. One was to form a squadron trained in parachuting and was eventually employed with the SAS. The other was intended to accompany an expedition to Norway. This invasion never took place but on D Day the squadron was still training for its mountain warfare role in Scotland. Very shortly afterwards it was sent to the South of England and then to France to provide General (as he then was) Montgomery’s Tactical Headquarters with information on the US Corps which served under him in Normandy. One patrol was attached to each US Corp and captains patrols were located at General Bradley’s Tactical and Main Headquarters.

    Information was sent from Phantom Regimental Headquarters to Headquarters US 12 Army Group and later to other US formations also. The liaison with US forces continued since they were operating on the flank of 21 Army group and information on their progress was highly desirable.


    Squadron headquarters
    This headquarters remained under canvas at 21 Army Group Tactical Headquarters. The operational centre was based in two vehicles which parked tail to tail with a canvas penthouse between them. One vehicle was a Bedford QLR House Type I with four R107 receivers. The other was a Bedford QLT troop carrier converted to an office.

    Major
    Captain, Intelligence
    Squadron Serjeant Major
    serjeant
    4 X corporal
    29 X trooper
    batman driver
    corporal clerk
    3 X driver IC
    4 X intelligence dutyman
    4 X motorcyclist
    storeman
    3 X cook

    plus Royal Signals
    Subaltern
    serjeant
    6 X driver mechanic
    electrician
    instrument mechanic
    15 X operator
    batman

    Motorcycle 1
    Lieutenant RS
    Motorcycle 2
    instrument mechanic RS
    Motorcycle 3
    motorcyclist
    Motorcycle 4
    motorcyclist
    Motorcycle 5
    motorcyclist
    Motorcycle 6
    motorcyclist

    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
    Squadron Serjeant Major, medical officer’s orderly, driver IC

    15cwt GS 1
    2 X vehicle mechanic, intelligence dutyman
    Carries a Bren lmg
    Tows a 10cwt trailer
    15cwt GS 2
    serjeant, administrative corporal, driver IC
    Carries a Bren lmg
    Tows a 10cwt trailer

    15cwt Wireless House Type 1
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    Carries a Wireless No12 LP set
    15cwt Wireless House Type 2
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    Carries a Wireless No12 LP set
    15cwt Wireless House Type 3
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    Carries a Wireless No12 LP set
    15cwt Wireless House Type 4
    3 X operator, driver mechanic
    Carries a Wireless No12 LP set

    15cwt 4 X 4 Personnel
    Major, 2 X driver operator
    Carries a Wireless set No22
    Carries a Bren lmg

    3ton 4 X 4 GS 1
    intelligence dutyman, storeman, 2 X cook, driver IC
    Carries a Bren lmg
    3ton 4 X 4 GS 2
    electrician RS, batman RS, cook, driver mechanic RS
    Carries a 1,260 watt charging set
    3ton 4 X 4 Troop Carrying
    Intelligence Captain, 2 X intelligence dutyman, batman driver
    This vehicle for use as an Office
    3ton 4 X 4 Wireless I
    serjeant RS, driver mechanic RS
    Carries 4 X R107 receivers


    6 X Patrol

    Motorcycle
    driver operator
    Motorcycle
    motorcyclist
    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep)
    driver operator, vehicle mechanic
    Carries wireless receiver R107
    Tows a 10cwt trailer
    15cwt 4 X 4 armoured truck (White)
    Intelligence Officer (Captain or Subaltern), 2 X driver operator
    Carries Wireless set No22 (later Wireless set Canadian No9) and wireless receiver
    R107


    J troop
    It is uncertain if this troop was ever used in its intended role. It seems to have been used as the cadre for two Phantom patrols when there was a great demand for these.

    Subaltern
    serjeant
    3 X corporal
    7 X trooper

    plus Royal Signals
    corporal operator
    2 X operator
    driver mechanic

    Motorcycle
    driver operator
    Motorcycle
    serjeant

    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep)
    vehicle mechanic, intelligence dutyman
    Carries a R107 receiver
    Tows a 10cwt trailer

    15cwt Wireless House 1
    3 X driver operator
    Carries 2 X R107 receivers
    15cwt Wireless House 2
    2 X driver operator
    Carries 2 X R107 receivers
    15cwt Wireless House 3
    3 X operator RS, driver mechanic RS
    Carries a Wireless No 12 set
    Carries a Bren lmg

    15cwt 4 X 4 Personnel
    Intelligence Subaltern, 2 X driver operator
    Carries a Wireless set No22
    Carries a Bren lmg



    Phantom with the SAS.



    RESERVE SQUADRON, GHQ LIAISON REGIMENT
    War Establishment III/304/1 with an effective date of January 1944
    The Reserve Squadron was not really a part of 21 Army Group. It was formed from F Squadron and was originally intended and trained for an assault role on D day. In the event each of the assault divisions had their own Phantom patrol and there was no need for F squadron. Instead it used its expertise to operate with the SAS in Europe after D Day. SAS units were dropped into France to work with local groups in disrupting enemy transport and communications.

    F Squadron’s combined operations training for its D Day role had concentrated on operating with minimum equipment for a short period of time. The ideal was to be able to carry everything on the men’s backs and be able to function for 72 hours without further support. A jeep per patrol was to be landed as soon as possible with other vehicles and personnel following when shipping was available.

    Later complete patrols were sent to provide extra cover for specific operations.

    Squadron Headquarters
    Major, Commanding officer
    Captain, Intelligence
    Squadron Serjeant Major
    squadron quartermaster serjeant
    2 X lance serjeant
    2 X corporal
    12 X trooper

    Trades included
    clerk
    2 X driver operator
    vehicle mechanic
    2 X batman driver
    2 X driver IC
    4 X intelligence dutyman
    medical officers orderly
    2 X motorcyclist
    storeman

    Attached Royal Signals
    Lieutenant
    serjeant
    6 X driver mechanic
    12 X operator
    signals electrician
    instrument mechanic
    batman

    corporal cook ACC
    3 X cook ACC

    4 X motorcycle
    1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
    2 X 15cwt GS
    1 X 15cwt 4 X 4 Armoured Personnel
    4 X 15cwt Wireless House
    2 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS
    1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Troop Carrying
    1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Wireless ‘I’
    2 X 10cwt trailer
    1 X water trailer
    1 X water trailer


    3 X Captains Patrol each
    Captain
    corporal driver operator
    3 X driver operator
    vehicle mechanic
    motorcyclist

    2 X motorcycle
    1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
    1 X 15cwt 4 X 4 Armoured Personnel
    1 X 10cwt trailer


    3 X Subalterns Patrol each
    Subaltern
    corporal driver operator
    3 X driver operator
    vehicle mechanic
    motorcyclist

    2 X motorcycle
    1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
    1 X 15cwt 4 X 4 Armoured Personnel
    1 X 10cwt trailer


    J Troop
    Subaltern
    serjeant
    driver mechanic RS
    3 X operator RS
    8 X driver operator
    vehicle mechanic
    2 X intelligence dutyman

    2 X motorcycle
    1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
    3 X 15cwt Wireless House
    1 X 15cwt 4 X 4 Armoured Personnel
    1 X 10cwt trailer


    Anchor Detachment
    Captain
    Subaltern
    corporal operator
    2 X operator
    signals electrician
    driver IC
    intelligence dutyman
    motorcyclist

    1 X motorcycle
    1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
    1 X 15cwt Wireless House
    1 X 15cwt GS
    2 X 10cwt trailer


    When working with the SAS the patrols were parachute trained and carried everything on their backs. The transmitter was a Jedburgh set which was carried by two men and did not use batteries. A hand cranked generator was used. The Jedburgh set was a modified Wireless set No18 with a Morse key and no microphone.

    Midget receivers were also provided. These were MCR1. They were small for the day being 9inches long, 3¾ inches wide and 2½ inches deep. Weight was 2lb 9ozs. It could use batteries or mains power and could receive Morse or voice messages. It was sensitive enough to receive UK based BBC transmissions or RCA set transmissions anywhere in Western Europe.

    The first patrol was dropped into France on D Day plus 2.



    RESERVE SQUADRON, GHQ LIAISON REGIMENT
    War Establishment III/304/2 with an effective date of March 1945
    By 1945 there was a change of role for the SAS. As the army prepared to enter Germany there would be no local resistance with which they could operate and SAS units were reorganised as reconnaissance patrols. There was no longer any need for Phantom patrols. At this date the Reserve Squadron was re organised to give nine patrols. This was achieved by using vehicles and personnel from J troop. The patrols could be used as required, including operating with A Squadron. With the end of the war the squadron went to Norway.

    Squadron Headquarters
    Major, Commanding officer
    Captain, Intelligence
    2 X Subaltern, Intelligence
    Squadron Serjeant Major
    squadron quartermaster serjeant
    intelligence serjeant
    2 X lance serjeant
    3 X corporal
    19 X trooper

    Trades included
    clerk
    4 X driver operator
    vehicle mechanic
    3 X batman driver
    4 X driver IC
    6 X intelligence dutyman
    medical officers orderly
    3 X motorcyclist
    storeman

    Attached Royal Signals
    Captain
    serjeant
    2 X despatch rider
    8 X driver mechanic
    25 X operator
    3 X radio mechanic

    corporal cook ACC
    2 X cook ACC

    4 X motorcycle
    1 X car 4 seater 4 X 4
    4 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
    3 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS
    2 X 15cwt 4 X 4 Armoured Personnel
    8 X 15cwt 4 X 4 Wireless House
    1 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS
    1 X 3ton 4 X 4 cipher Office
    1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Troop Carrying
    1 X 3ton 4 X 4 Wireless ‘I’
    9 X 10cwt trailer
    1 X 2 ton trailer
    1 X water trailer


    9 X Captains Patrol each
    Captain
    corporal driver operator
    3 X driver operator
    vehicle mechanic
    intelligence dutyman

    2 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
    1 X 15cwt 4 X 4 Armoured Personnel
    2 X 10cwt trailer



    Phantom in Airborne Operations
    For airborne operations Phantom provided a small and compact squadron. This reported to 1st Airborne Army which at the time it was formed consisted of
    - 1 Airborne Division
    - 82 US Airborne Division
    - 101 US Airborne Division
    - 52 Division which was air transportable, although not used in this role.

    Squadron Headquarters.
    This was very small and existed to receive wireless communications from the patrols with airborne divisions. It did not land with the airborne troops.

    Major, Commanding Officer
    Captain, Signals Officer
    2 X operator
    2 X driver coder
    2 X signalman despatch rider.

    Patrol
    Each division had a patrol which was limited to the following vehicles
    1 X Airborne signals jeep
    1 X Lightweight trailer
    1 X Lightweight motorcycle.

    The jeep was an airborne jeep with all the modifications usual for the signal role. The Wireless set no22 was carried in the trailer.
    And the following personnel
    Subaltern
    cipher corporal
    despatch rider
    2 X operator
    batman driver

    Airborne forces were not very mobile. Having being dropped by parachute, landed by glider or flown into an airfield in Dakotas they concentrated on their objective and held it until relieved.
     
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