8th Army Tac HQ Organisation Christmas 1943

Discussion in 'Italy' started by Gary Tankard, Jan 25, 2020.

  1. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    I came across this is a completely unrelated file in TNA I thought it might be of interest so some:

    WO204_10955_0028.jpg WO204_10955_0029.jpg WO204_10955_0030.jpg
     
    Crosbygirl, Chris C, PackRat and 2 others like this.
  2. Crosbygirl

    Crosbygirl Junior Member

    Hello Gary,

    I have several sheets similar to this as part of the War Diaries for 39th LAA Regiment, do you think this might be something to do with AFHQ at Caserta? Curious that's all.
    Kind regards
    Ann
     
  3. Sheldrake

    Sheldrake All over the place....

    In Hamilton's Monty, master of the Battlefield, Major William (Bill) Mather, who ran Montgomery's Tac HQ is quoted.

    "We had this sort of Tactical Headquarters overlooking the Sangro and it was a very simple tactical headquarters - just tents and the two caravans and the ACV."

    The staff state tells a slightly different story - nearly 150 people , a small defence company, G staff, Camp "Mess facilities?" and signals. All to support Monty's very simple Tac HQ.

    What was the unrelated TNA file? My guess is that this sub-unit sized HQ was supplied and administered from some unit, based in the Sangro at that time which would have had a reason to hold its staff state.

    Montgomery himself would leave after Christmas for the UK and take command of 21 Army Group.
     
  4. Sheldrake

    Sheldrake All over the place....

    39 Light AA were part of 62 AA Brigade deployed under command Fifth US Army. They were mainly deployed in airfield defence and then in a dual AA ground role. I cannot find anything that links them to AFHQ Caserta. Perhaps a Tac element from 15 Army Group deployed, perhaps for the visit by the King in July/August 1944?
     
  5. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Thanks for posting this.

    Looking at the Staff officers pencilled in, of the top of my head, the G2-Ops are Bill Mather and Dick Vernon.

    Would you possibly have the next page?

    There are a few familiar names on the 13 Corps Staff List that I can see underneath.
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2020
  6. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    It was a 13 Corps Order of Battle file.
     
  7. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    I can when I get my new computer and rescue the hard drives from the old one. :)
     
  8. Sheldrake

    Sheldrake All over the place....

    That makes sense
     

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