Mike, I've struggled slightly to find an establishment for 11 AFS and details of where they fitted into the scheme of things, but I'm not quite sure where to look. My Dad's service record shows him embarking UK 25/6/1944 (it seems to have been corrected from 23/6/1944) and this is also the date shown for service abroad. This would suggest an arrival in France on 26th June or afterwards. Do you know when the Mulberry LST pier was completed ? Dad recalls that they travelled in an LST but were discharged on the beach (probably closer to Asnelles than Arromanches). This was of course after the big storm. I'd also be interested in the vehicles available to them. He recalls being seated behind the driver but with a view out to his right as they landed. Are they likely to have used something like CMP HUWs ?
Rich, I do not think you will find a War Establishment for 11 Air Formation Signals as such. This was the army unit which provided line communications for 83 Group 2 Tactical Air Force. As such it had a headquarters and a number of signals sections. These was a basic allocation of units but this could be added to as and when necessary. AIR FORMATION SIGNALS Air Formation Signals were a normal army signals unit providing communications for the Tactical Air Force. They were responsible for all communications to airfields and TAF headquarters. The following signals sections were attached as a basic scale. These could be modified as required. 1 X Headquarters Signals WE III/312/1 2 X Line Section WE III/23/4 2 X Construction Section WE III/24/5 2 X Line Maintenance Section WE III/30C/3 3 X Telegraph Operating Section WE III/25A/3 2 X Despatch Rider Section WE III/268/1 1 X Technical Maintenance Section WE III/30D/4 5 X Wing Section WE/29C/2 The various sections, or part sections, went to France as required. The first landed on D Day to provide communications for Group Control Centre. Others followed as 83 Group gradually occupied airfields in Normandy. In late June LSTs were still landing on the beaches. Mainly Item Beach which was actually inside the Mulberry breakwaters but still operated by 104 Beach Sub Area. MIke PS. Usually two or three Company Headquarters were also provided to administer the sections. PPS. Lists of vehicles are available in the 21 Army Group section.
Have you looked in the diary Rich? WO 171/1996 11 Air Formation Signals (Air Fmn Sigs) 1944 Jan.- Dec. How long was he with them for? I have a copy of the 1946 diary which you can have if its any use to you.
From The Royal Corps of Signals-Unit Histories of the Corps: Air Formation Signal Regiment consisted of the following: 2 Line Troops 2 Construction Troops 2 Terminal Equipment Troops 3 Telegraph Operating Troops 2 Despatch Rider Troops 1 Technical Maintenance Troop 5 Wing Troops Edit: Mike beat me to it
Thanks, Chaps. I believe that he was part of a Tele-Op section supporting 39 Recce Wing. Item Beach fits exactly as we have pretty well pinned down that he came ashore at Saint-Côme-de-Fresné. Is there likely to be any chance of tracing LST allocation for D+20 ? 11 AFS Diary is not really a war diary in the normal sense, more a technical log. He had been transferred by late 1945.
Rich, I have not seen any craft or ship landing tables after the first few days. I have seen landing tables for individual units. These show which personnel and vehicles were scheduled to sail on which days, but not which craft or ship. After the first few days it was not possible to predict which craft or ships would be available. Where I have seen them they have been attached to the War Diary. Mike
Just been looking through my late father's WWII documents, and discovered he belonged to this regiment. I don't know much about what he did, but I do know 1) He trained at the training school in Ossett 2) He was called up 8 May 1944 3) He was a line mechanic AI 4) Rose to the rank of corporal 5) Used to ride a motorbike (from an old photo) Despatch rider? 6) Used to eavesdrop on Churchill's telephone conversations 7) Drove a bulldozer (again from a photo) 8) He used to repair Creed teleprinters The photos I mentioned got destroyed in a purge much to my annoyance. I also found a newspaper cutting from the Manchester Evening News, dated 1 November 1945 entitled "The Recovery of Walcheren", I wonder if this is where the Bulldozer came in? Roger
Hi - I'm researching my wife's late Grandfather's war service. Thomas George Barfoot enlisted 18/2/1943 and was posted to 11 AFS in 5/4/43 and did Driver training in Prestatyn where he became Driver I/C (we believe he was a "batman" to Major R N G Paine).. His record shows him embarking in UK for France on 2nd June 1944!!. If that is the case he must have landed very close to D Day. Would that be right? Like Rich was trying to do, am trying to find out what the unit did, so will go to National Archives. Is this the right route to go down? Thanks
Hello Andrew, my dad was at Prestatyn from 23/6/1943. Although his records don't show it, I believe that he was then at Redhill Aerodrome and then Odiham. He embarked 25/6/1944. The diary for 11 Air Fmn. Sigs is not very enlightening unfortunately. Do you have any other family memorabilia which might indicate to which air force unit he was attached ? This is the sort of thing that the diary includes.