Survey Regiment

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  1. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    SURVEY REGIMENT The reference for the Survey Regiment RA is WE III/13/8 with an effective date of 23rd November 1943.



    PERSONNEL
    Lieutenant Colonel, Officer Commanding
    Major, Second in Command
    2 X Major, Battery Commanders
    Captain, Adjutant
    9 X Captain
    15 X subaltern
    Quartermaster

    Regimental Serjeant Major
    Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant
    2 X Battery Serjeant Major
    2 X battery quartermaster serjeant
    4 X signalling serjeant
    3 X serjeant
    5 X lance serjeant
    21 X bombardier
    26 lance bombardier
    224 gunners
    Total 580

    Plus attached
    Medical Officer RAMC
    staff serjeant armament artificer (wireless)REME
    staff serjeant armament artificer (field instruments) REME
    corporal telecommunications mechanic REME
    2 X telecommunications mechanic REME
    serjeant instrument mechanic REME
    instrument mechanic REME
    serjeant armourer REME
    3 X officers mess cooks ACC
    2 X corporal cook ACC
    14 X cook ACC
    Total 608


    Tradesmen
    serjeant clerk, RA clerks section
    4 X clerk
    2 X carpenter and joiner
    38 X driver operator
    2 X equipment repairer
    3 X technical storeman
    12 X vehicle mechanics
    27 X serjeant surveyor
    14 X lance serjeant surveyor
    18 X bombardier surveyor
    30 X lance bombardier surveyor
    136 gunner surveyor

    Non tradesmen
    9 X batman
    22 X batman driver
    butchery dutyman
    90 X driver IC
    34 X gunner, line and wireless operator
    10 X lmg numbers
    medical officers orderly
    28 X motor cycle orderly
    sanitary dutyman
    39 X signaller
    8 X storeman
    7 X water dutyman

    Total vehicles.
    45 X motorcycle
    39 X jeep
    3 X car 4 X 4 Heavy Utility
    9 X 15cwt truck GS
    2 X 15cwt truck GS wireless link
    8 X 15cwt truck office
    19 X 15cwt truck personnel
    28 X 15cwt truck FFW
    2 X 15cwt fitted for recorders
    3 X 15cwt truck water
    8 X 15cwt 4 X 4 personnel
    27 X lorry 3ton 4 X 4
    1 X 3ton Machinery Z
    23 X trailer 10cwt
    7 X trailer 15cwt
    4 X travelling platform for 20mm gun

    Plus
    RAF meteorologists
    Subaltern
    3 X NCO
    2 X aircraftman



    This organisation applied to
    4 Survey Regiment normally attached to XXX Corp
    7 Survey Regiment normally attached to XII Corp
    9 Survey Regiment normally attached to I Corp
    10 Survey Regiment normally attached to VIII Corp


    Organisation
    Regimental Headquarters

    Commanding Officers Group
    4 seater car 4 X 4
    Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Officer, batman, driver IC

    Motorcycle 1
    orderly

    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 1
    Subaltern, batman driver

    15cwt truck personnel
    Major Second in Command, 2 X driver operator
    Carries Wireless set

    Motorcycle
    Orderly


    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 2
    Medical Officer, batman driver

    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 3
    Survey Officer, battery surveyor.

    15cwt truck FFW 1
    Adjutant, serjeant clerk, signaller, batman driver
    Carries Wireless set

    Motorcycle 3
    adjutants orderly

    Motorcycle 4
    Regimental Serjeant Major

    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 1
    2 X clerks, sanitary dutyman, batman, driver IC
    Carries office stores
    Carries 2 X Bren lmg

    15wt truck FFW 2
    3 X signaller, 2 X driver operator
    Carries Wireless set No22

    15cwt truck GS
    serjeant, 2 X lmg numbers, driver IC
    Carries 2 X bren lmg for local defence
    Tows a travelling platform for 20mm gun

    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 2
    medical officers orderly, driver IC
    Carries medical stores

    3ton 4 X 4 GS 3
    technical storeman, vehicle mechanic, 2 X lmg numbers, serjeant armourer,
    driver IC
    Carries technical stores
    Carries a Bren lmg
    Tows a travelling platform for 20mm guns

    3ton 6 X 4 Machinery type Z


    armament artificer (wireless) REME, telecommunications mechanic REME,
    [/list]

    armament artificer(instruments) REME, 2 X instrument mechanics REME,
    [/list]

    driver IC.
    [/list]

    Where a 6 X 4 lorry is not available a 4 X 4 lorry may be issued instead.

    [/list] 15cwt truck personnel
    Quartermaster, Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant, batman driver

    15cwt truck water
    driver IC (trained in water duties)

    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 4


    butchery dutyman, 3 X cook, driver IC
    [/list] Carries cooking sets and stores
    Carries a PIAT
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 5
    storeman, driver IC
    Carries petrol

    Headquarters troop

    5cwt car 4 X 4 1
    Captain, serjeant surveyor, driver IC


    Tows 10cwt trailer

    [/list]

    Motorcycle 1
    [/list]

    Orderly

    [/list] 15cwt truck 4 X 4 personnel
    signaller, 2 X driver operator
    Carries a Wireless set

    5cwt car 4 X 4 2
    Subaltern, surveyor, batman driver



    Motorcycle 2
    [/list]

    orderly

    [/list] 5cwt car 4 X 4 3
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    5cwt car 4 X 4 4
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    5cwt car 4 X 4 5
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    5cwt car 4 X 4 6
    Subaltern, surveyor, batman driver



    Motorcycle 3
    [/list]

    orderly

    [/list] 5cwt car 4 X 4 7
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    5cwt car 4 X 4 8
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    5cwt car 4 X 4 9
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer

    15cwt truck personnel 1
    serjeant surveyor, 4 X surveyor, driver IC
    15cwt truck personnel 2
    serjeant surveyor, 4 X surveyor, driver IC

    15cwt truck GS 1
    driver IC
    Carries cable layer and cable reels.
    15cwt truck GS 2
    driver IC
    Carries cable layer and cable reels

    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 1
    batman, water dutyman, 2 X cook, driver IC
    Carries cooking sets and Q stores
    Carries a Bren lmg and a PIAT
    Tows water trailer
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 2
    vehicle mechanic, storeman, driver IC
    Carries tools and technical stores


    Battery X 2
    Car 4seater 4 X 4
    Major (battery commander), batman driver

    Motorcycle
    orderly
    Motorcycle
    orderly

    5cwt 4 X 4 1
    Captain, batman driver

    15cwt truck office
    clerk, surveyor, driver IC

    15cwt truck FFW
    2 X signaller, 2 X driver operator
    Carries Wireless set

    15cwt truck GS
    3 X lmg number, driver IC
    Carries Bren lmg
    Tows a travelling platform for 20mm gun

    Motorcycle 3
    Battery Serjeant Major
    Motorcycle 4
    vehicle mechanic

    3ton 4 X 4 GS 1
    battery quartermaster serjeant, corporal cook, driver IC
    Carries quartermaster stores
    3ton 4 X 4 GS 2
    serjeant, surveyor, technical storeman, carpenter and joiner, equipment repairer,
    vehicle mechanic, driver IC
    Carries vehicle mechanics tools and MT stores
    Carries 2 X Bren lmg and a PIAT

    15cwt truck water
    driver IC (trained in water duties)

    6 X cook are carried in troop transport


    The Observation Troop
    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 1
    Captain, serjeant surveyor, batman driver
    Motorcycle 1
    orderly

    15cwt 4 X 4 personnel
    Subaltern, driver IC
    Motorcycle 2
    orderly

    15cwt truck FFW 1
    serjeant surveyor, 2 X surveyor, 2 X driver operator
    Carries wireless set
    15cwt truck personnel 1
    5 X surveyor, gunner signaller, driver IC
    Carries a cable layer

    15cwt truck FFW 2
    serjeant surveyor, 2 X surveyor, 2 X driver operator
    Carries Wireless set
    15cwt truck personnel 2
    5 X surveyor, gunner, driver IC
    Carries cable layer

    15cwt truck FFW 3
    serjeant surveyor, 2 X surveyor, 2 X driver operator
    Carries wireless set
    15cwt truck personnel 3
    5 X surveyor, gunner, driver IC
    Carries cable layer

    15cwt truck FFW 4
    serjeant surveyor, 2 X surveyor, 2 X driver operator
    Carries Wireless set
    15cwt truck personnel 4
    5 X surveyor, gunner, driver IC
    Carries cable layer

    Motorcycle 3
    signalling serjeant

    Car 5cwt 4 X 4
    Subaltern, serjeant surveyor, batman driver


    Motorcycle 4
    [/list] orderly

    15cwt truck, office
    4 X surveyor, driver IC
    Carries Office stores
    Carries a Bren lmg
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 1
    5 X surveyor, driver IC
    Carries technical plotting stores
    15cwt truck FFW 5
    2 X signaller, 2 X driver operator
    Carries 2 X wireless sets (one is a ground station).



    Motorcycle 5
    [/list] vehicle mechanic
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 2
    batman, 2 X cook (from battery HQ), water dutyman, driver IC
    Carries cooking sets and rations
    Carries a Bren lmg and a PIAT
    Tows water trailer.
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 3
    storeman, driver IC
    Carries MT stores


    Sound Ranging Troop
    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 1
    Captain, serjeant surveyor, batman driver
    Motorcycle 1
    Orderly

    15cwt truck 4 X 4 personnel
    Subaltern, serjeant surveyor, driver IC
    Motorcycle 2
    orderly
    Motorcycle 3
    surveyor

    15cwt truck FFW 1
    2 X surveyor, signaller, gunner (operator line and wireless), driver IC
    This was for the advanced post party
    15cwt truck FFW 2
    2 X surveyor, signaller, gunner (operator line and wireless), driver IC
    This was for the advanced post party

    15cwt truck FFW 3
    surveyor, signaller, gunner (operator line and wireless), driver IC
    This was for radio link
    15cwt truck FFW 4
    surveyor, signaller, gunner (operator line and wireless), driver IC
    This was for radio link
    15cwt truck FFW 5
    surveyor, signaller, gunner (operator line and wireless), driver IC
    This was for radio link
    15cwt truck FFW 6
    surveyor, signaller, gunner (operator line and wireless), driver IC
    This was for radio link
    15cwt truck FFW 7
    surveyor, signaller, gunner (operator line and wireless), driver IC
    This was for radio link

    Motorcycle 4
    signalling serjeant
    15cwt truck GS
    signaller, 2 X gunner (operator line and wireless), driver IC

    5cwt car 4 X 4 2
    Subaltern, batman driver


    Motorcycle 5
    [/list] orderly

    15cwt truck GS
    2 X signaller, 2 X driver operator
    Carries a Wireless set
    This vehicle for radio link.
    15cwt truck FFW
    3 X surveyor, signaller, driver IC
    Carries wireless set for the recorders.
    15cwt truck office 1
    serjeant surveyor, 4 X surveyor, driver IC
    Carries office stores
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 1
    2 X surveyor, signaller, gunner, driver IC
    Carries a Bren lmg
    15cwt truck personnel 1
    4 X surveyor, driver IC
    Carries cable layer
    Carries a PIAT
    15cwt truck personnel 2
    4 X surveyor, driver IC



    15cwt truck office 2
    [/list]

    Flight Lieutenant RAF, corporal RAF, leading aircraftman RAF, driver IC
    [/list] For the meteorological section

    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 2
    batman, 2 X cook (from battery HQ), water dutyman, driver IC
    Carries cooking sets and rations
    Carries 2 X Bren lmg
    Tows water trailer
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 3
    storeman, telecommunications mechanic REME, driver IC
    Carries MT stores

    Motorcycle 6
    vehicle mechanic


    Survey Troop


    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 1
    [/list]

    Captain, serjeant surveyor, driver IC
    [/list]

    Tows a 10cwt trailer
    [/list]

    Motorcycle 1
    [/list]

    orderly
    [/list]


    [/list] 15cwt 4 X 4 personnel
    signaller, 2 X driver operator
    Carries a Wireless set

    5cwt car 4 X 4 2
    Subaltern, surveyor, batman driver


    Motorcycle 2
    [/list]

    orderly

    [/list] 5cwt car 4 X 4 3
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    5cwt car 4 X 4 4
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    5cwt car 4 X 4 5
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer

    5cwt car 4 X 4 6
    Subaltern, surveyor, batman driver


    Motorcycle 3
    [/list]

    orderly

    [/list] 5cwt car 4 X 4 7
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    5cwt car 4 X 4 8
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    5cwt car 4 X 4 9
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer

    15cwt truck personnel 1
    serjeant surveyor, 4 X surveyor, batman driver
    15cwt truck personnel 2
    serjeant surveyor, 4 X surveyor, driver IC
    Carries a Bren lmg


    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 1
    batman, 2 X cook (from battery HQ), water dutyman, driver IC
    Carries cooking sets and rations
    Carries a Bren lmg
    Tows water trailer.
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    storeman, driver IC
    Carries Quartermaster and Technical Stores
    Carries a PIAT



    Motorcycle 4
    [/list]

    vehicle mechanic


    [/list] LAD REME

    LAD1 car 4 seater 4 X 2
    WO II armament artificer, serjeant vehicle mechanic


    * Motorcycle
    [/list]

    storeman
    [/list] LAD2 3ton lorry 4 X 4 stores
    storeman, 2 X vehicle mechanic, driver mechanic
    LAD3 3ton lorry 4 X 4
    electrician, welder, 2 X vehicle mechanic, driver mechanic
    LAD4 3ton lorry 6 X 4 Breakdown
    Vehicle mechanic, driver mechanic
     
  2. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Organisation for Manoeuvre and Deployment.

    The Regimental Headquarters Party
    This contained those elements required to establish a command post close to Corp headquarters. Having received orders from the Corp Commander Royal Artillery the Commanding Officer would make his plans to be implemented by the adjutant. The Second in Command and his group would establish an administrative headquarters at a convenient and central point. The survey officer would arrange for a survey to be carried out in order to calibrate all the sub units.

    Z 4 seater car 4 X 4
    Commanding Officer, subaltern, driver IC
    S2 15cwt truck FFW Royal Signals
    driver operator, operator
    Carries 2 X Wireless set no19.
    MC1 Motorcycle
    commanding officers orderly.

    Z2 15cwt truck FFW
    Second in Command, 2 X driver operator
    Carries Wireless set No22
    MC2 motorcycle
    second in commands orderly
    * Motorcycle Royal Signals
    despatch rider
    S3 15cwt truck FFW Royal Signals
    corporal operator, 2 X operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 2 X Wireless set no19.
    SUR1 5cwt car 4 X 4
    Survey Officer, battery surveyor.

    Note:
    Surveyor was the basic trade for other ranks in the Survey Regiment. Battery surveyor was a trade throughout the Royal Artillery and they were concerned with basic surveying. Some non tradesmen were gunners, the basic rank in the Royal Artillery.

    Note also that the Royal Signals section was fully integrated with the regimental headquarters and provided communication within the headquarters and down to batteries. The basic rank in the Royal Signals was a signalman even if he was not directly concerned with signalling. The regimental signals were Royal Artillery personnel and were correctly termed signallers to distinguish them from signalmen

    The Adjutants Party
    The adjutant was responsible for deploying the regiment in accordance with the Commanding Officers orders and standing orders. This group need not be located near Corps headquarters but had close communications with it. The three 15cwts formed a command post which was always manned by the adjutant or the signal officer.

    A1 15cwt truck
    Adjutant, serjeant clerk, signaller, batman driver
    MC3 Motorcycle
    adjutants orderly

    S1 15cwt truck FFW Royal Signals
    Signal Officer, batman driver
    S4 15cwt truck FFW Royal Signals
    corporal operator, 2 X operator, driver mechanic
    Carried Wireless sets No 19 and No 19 HP
    * Motorcycle Royal Signals
    signal serjeant
    * Motorcycle Royal Signals
    despatch rider
    * Motorcycle Royal Signals
    signal linesman



    The Regimental Headquarters group
    This was responsible for the administration of the regiment. It would normally be kept to the rear.

    MC4 Motorcycle
    Regimental Serjeant Major
    A2 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    2 X clerks, sanitary dutyman, batman, driver IC
    A3 5cwt car 4 X 4
    Medical Officer, batman driver
    A4 15cwt truck
    medical officers orderly, driver IC
    Carries medical stores.
    A5 15wt truck FFW
    3 X signaller, 2 X driver operator
    A6 15cwt truck
    Serjeant, 2 X lmg numbers, driver IC
    Carries 2 X bren lmg for local defence

    S5 5cwt car 4 X 4 Royal Signals
    corporal linesman, 2 X linesman, driver IC
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    S6 3ton lorry 4 X 4 Signal Office Royal Signals
    2 X corporal operators, 4 X operators, 2 X linesman, driver IC
    S7 3ton lorry 4 X 4 Royal Signals
    corporal electrician, instrument mechanic, operator, cook ACC, driver mechanic
    S8 15cwt truck Royal Signals
    3 X lineman
    Carries a cable layer
    * Motorcycle Royal Signals
    despatch rider


    * Motorcycle Royal Signals
    [/list]

    signal electrician
    [/list]

    * Motorcycle Royal Signals
    [/list]

    despatch rider

    [/list] The B Echelon
    This provided supply and maintenance for the regiment.

    Q1 15cwt truck
    Quartermaster, Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant, batman driver
    Q2 15cwt truck water
    Water dutyman, driver IC
    Q3 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    technical storeman, vehicle mechanic, serjeant armourer REME,
    2 X lmg numbers,driver IC
    Carries 2 X bren guns for local defence.
    Q4 3ton lorry 4 X 4 Machinery Z REME


    armament artificer (wireless), telecommunications mechanic, armament artificer (instrument) 2 X instrument mechanic, driver IC
    [/list] Q5 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS


    butchery dutyman, 3 X cook, driver IC
    [/list] Carries cooking sets and stores
    Q6 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    storeman, driver IC
    Carries Quartermaster stores.


    Note that there were defence teams at regimental headquarters and with the B echelon. These normally had two Bren guns for antiaircraft defence. They could also be used for ground defence. The same vehicle usually carried a PIAT.


    Headquarters Observation troop
    This troop was for use in ranging friendly artillery air bursts rather than observing enemy fire, which was the task of the survey batteries. Normally one observation section would be deployed to each forward division. Its communications were to the Corp Counter Battery Officer.

    Headquarters
    RX 5cwt car 4 X 4
    Captain, serjeant surveyor, driver IC
    Tows 10cwt trailer


    * Motorcycle
    [/list] orderly
    M1 15cwt truck 4 X 4
    Signaller, 2 X driver operator

    Observation section
    OX1 5cwt car 4 X 4
    Subaltern, surveyor, batman driver


    * Motorcycle
    [/list]

    orderly
    [/list] OX2 5cwt car 4 X 4
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    OX3 5cwt car 4 X 4
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    OX4 5cwt car 4 X 4
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    GX1 15cwt truck
    serjeant surveyor, 4 X surveyor, driver IC
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    M2 15cwt truck
    Driver IC
    Carries cablelayer and cable reels.

    Observation section
    OX5 5cwt car 4 X 4
    Subaltern, surveyor, batman driver


    * Motorcycle
    [/list]

    orderly
    [/list] OX6 5cwt car 4 X 4
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    OX7 5cwt car 4 X 4
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    OX8 5cwt car 4 X 4
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    GX2 15cwt truck
    serjeant surveyor, 4 X surveyor, driver IC
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    M3 15cwt truck
    driver IC
    Carries cablelayer and cable reels.

    Troop echelon
    QX1 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    batman, water dutyman, 2 X cook, driver IC
    Tows water trailer
    QX2 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    vehicle mechanic, storeman, driver IC





    The Batteries.
    Each of the two batteries was identical and organised as follows.

    The Reconnaissance Party
    This consisted of the battery commander and the commanders of the three troops. The party would receive orders from the Commanding officer and then carry out a reconnaissance of the area before deciding on the positions of the various elements. The troop commanders would then disperse to position their own equipment and personnel.

    R Car 4seater 4 X 4
    Major (battery commander), batman driver
    * Motorcycle
    battery commanders orderly

    RA 5cwt 4 x 4
    Captain (observation troop commander), surveyor, batman driver
    * motorcycle
    orderly

    RB 5cwt 4 x 4
    Captain (sound ranging troop commander), surveyor, batman driver
    * motorcycle
    orderly

    RC 5cwt 4 x 4
    Captain (survey troop commander), surveyor, batman driver
    * motorcycle
    orderly


    The Battery Headquarters Party
    This was the administrative element of the battery and was commanded by the battery second in command.

    K1 5cwt 4 x 4
    Captain, batman driver
    * motorcycle
    orderly
    K2 15cwt truck office
    Clerk, surveyor, driver IC
    M1 15cwt truck FFW
    2 X signaller, gunner, 2 X driver operator
    Carries Wireless set No19
    K3 15cwt truck GS
    3 X lmg number, driver IC
    Carries 2 X bren lmg for local defence
    MC2 Motorcycle
    Battery Serjeant Major
    MC3 Motorcycle
    Vehicle mechanic


    The Observation Troop (Troop A)
    The observation troop located enemy artillery by observing the flashes of gun firing. The four flash spotting posts were spread along the divisional area and linked to troop headquarters. When fully established the posts would be fully surveyed and telephone lines laid. This however could take twelve hours to establish and in the meantime the posts had wireless communication which allowed them to be operational in four hours.

    When an enemy gun fired the bearing of the flash was noted using Instrument, Flash Spotting No4, which was a powerful pair of binoculars with a bearing scale. The bearings were first reported to the troop headquarters reporting centre which made sure that all posts were observing the same gun. This was done by using the Don 3 telephone which had a flashing light as well as a buzzer. When the observer saw the flash he pressed the switch which operated the light and buzzer at headquarters. If all the lines flashed at the same time they were probably observing the same flash. The bearings were then reported to the troop headquarters computing centre which used a plotting board to locate the source of the flash. The troop headquarters also maintained a board showing all known enemy guns.

    As well as flash spotting the observation posts were equipped with powerful spotting telescopes and reported all enemy activity. The observation posts also recorded the fall of enemy shells and were trained to analyse shell craters to determine the bearing of enemy guns and their calibre.

    Headquarters
    OA1 15cwt 4 X 4
    Subaltern, driver IC


    * Motorcycle
    [/list] orderly
    OA2 15cwt truck
    2 X gunner, driver IC

    Post 1 OA3 15cwt truck FFW
    serjeant surveyor, 2 X surveyor, 2 X driver operator
    OA4 15cwt truck
    5 X surveyor, gunner, driver IC

    Post 2 OA5 15cwt truck FFW
    serjeant surveyor, 2 X surveyor, 2 X driver operator
    OA6 15cwt truck
    5 X surveyor, gunner, driver IC

    Post 3 OA7 15cwt truck FFW
    serjeant surveyor, 2 X surveyor, 2 X driver operator
    OA8 15cwt truck
    5 X surveyor, gunner, driver IC

    Post 4 OA9 15cwt truck FFW
    serjeant surveyor, 2 X surveyor, 2 X driver operator
    OA10 15cwt truck
    5 X surveyor, gunner, driver IC

    Computing centre
    GA1 5cwt car 4 X 4
    Subaltern, serjeant surveyor, batman driver


    * Motorcycle
    [/list] orderly
    * Motorcycle
    signalling serjeant
    GA2 15cwt truck, office
    4 X surveyor, driver IC
    GA3 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    5 X surveyor, driver IC
    This was the plotting lorry
    GA4 15cwt truck FFW
    2 X signaller, 2 X driver operator
    Carries 2 X wireless sets.


    QA1 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    batman, 2 X cook, water dutyman, driver IC
    Carries cooking stes and rations
    Tows water trailer.
    QA2 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    storeman, driver IC
    Carries MT stores


    * Motorcycle
    [/list]

    vehicle mechanic



    [/list] Sound Ranging Troop (B troop)
    The sound ranging troop was similar in deployment and operation to the flash spotting troop. It deployed a line of microphones across the divisional front. These were connected to a pen recorder in the plotting centre. It was not practical to have the recorders running continuously so they were switched on when the advanced post reported hearing firing. Each microphone then picked up the sound and transmitted it to the plotting centre recorders. The bearing of the gun could be deduced by the differing times at which the sound was recorded. The recording film could also show the sound from the shell exploding and this gave the time of flight and thus the range. Variations in the recorded patterns could also tell the type of gun and its calibre.

    All information had to be adjusted for wind and temperature which affected the time taken for sound to travel through the air. This explains the presence of the RAF meteorological section.

    The signals were transmitted from the microphones to the recorder by wireless. This was a modified Wireless set No11 which was no longer in general use. It was a sender, or transmitter, located at each microphone and each operated on a separate frequency. At the plotting centre each transmitter had a R105 receiver tuned to the frequency of the transmitter to which it was working. Line communication was needed so that the advanced posts could give the signal to turn on the recorders. This system could link five microphones to the recorder. It took some time to establish a complete network.

    Information was processed by using the plotting board, and ranges were worked out using a mechanical computer.

    OB1 15cwt truck 4 X 4
    Subaltern, serjeant surveyor, driver IC
    * Motorcycle
    orderly
    * Motorcycle
    surveyor

    OB2 15cwt truck FFW
    2 X surveyor, signaller, gunner driver IC
    This was the advanced post party

    OB3 15cwt truck FFW
    surveyor, signaller, gunner, driver IC

    OB4 15cwt truck FFW
    2 X surveyor, signaller, gunner, driver IC
    OB5 15cwt truck FFW
    2 X surveyor, signaller, gunner, driver IC
    OB6 15cwt truck FFW
    2 X surveyor, signaller, gunner, driver IC
    OB7 15cwt truck FFW
    2 X surveyor, signaller, gunner, driver IC
    OB8 15cwt truck FFW
    2 X surveyor, signaller, gunner, driver IC

    Computing centre
    GB1 5cwt car 4 X 4
    Subaltern, batman driver


    * Motorcycle
    [/list] orderly
    * Motorcycle
    signalling serjeant
    GB2 15cwt truck
    2 X signaller, driver surveyor
    GB3 15cwt FFW
    3 X surveyor, signaller, driver IC
    Carries wireless set for the recorders.
    GB4 15cwt truck office
    serjeant surveyor, 4 X surveyor, driver IC
    GB5 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    2 X surveyor, signaller, driver IC
    GB6 15cwt truck FFW
    4 X surveyor, driver IC
    GB7 15cwt truck FFW
    4 X surveyor, driver IC

    Meteorological section


    * 15cwt truck office
    [/list]

    Flight Lieutenant RAF, corporal RAF, leading aircraftman RAF, driver IC
    [/list]


    [/list] QB1 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    batman, 2 X cook, water dutyman, driver IC
    Carries cooking stes and rations
    Tows water trailer.
    QB2 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    storeman, telecommunications mechanic REME, driver IC
    Carries MT stores


    * Motorcycle



    [/list] Survey Troop (C troop)



    [/list] M1 15cwt 4 X 4
    Signaller, 2 X driver operator
    QC1 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    batman, 2 X cook, water dutyman, driver IC
    Carries cooking stes and rations
    Tows water trailer.
    QC2 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    storeman, telecommunications mechanic REME, driver IC
    Carries MT stores


    * Motorcycle
    [/list]
    Section
    OC1 5cwt car 4 X 4
    Subaltern, surveyor, batman driver


    * Motorcycle
    [/list]

    orderly
    [/list] OC2 5cwt car 4 X 4
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    OC3 5cwt car 4 X 4
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    OC4 5cwt car 4 X 4
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    GC1 15cwt truck 4 X 4
    serjeant surveyor, 4 X surveyor, batman driver

    Section
    OC5 5cwt car 4 X 4
    Subaltern, surveyor, batman driver


    * Motorcycle
    [/list]

    orderly
    [/list] OC6 5cwt car 4 X 4
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    OC7 5cwt car 4 X 4
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    OC8 5cwt car 4 X 4
    2 X surveyor
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    GC9 15cwt truck 4 X 4
    serjeant surveyor, 4 X surveyor, batman driver
     
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