A, B and F Echelons ?

Discussion in 'Higher Formations' started by stolpi, Mar 29, 2011.

  1. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    From the 1940 diaries that I've read that infomation is normaly in the appendices under Movement Orders.
     
  3. idler

    idler GeneralList

    From memory, F echelon is the Fighting echelon, A echelon is the admin element of the sub-units and B echelon is the admin element of the unit. I might be able to find some official definitions later.
     
  4. op-ack

    op-ack Senior Member

    This is from the RA Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations:

    Echelon There are three levels of echelon, F, A and B. Artillery Training Volume II, Pamphlet 1 1949 describes them as follows:
    F Echelon – Contained the essential personnel and vehicles for fighting. In a Field Regiment, the F Echelon consisted of the reconnaissance parties, the Regimental Headquarters group and the gun groups. The ammunition vehicles were often also grouped within this echelon.
    A Echelon – Contained the personnel and vehicles required by the unit at short notice to maintain its fighting efficiency. A Echelon was normally located at the Wagon Lines.
    B Echelon – Contained the personnel and vehicles necessary to collect, breakdown and distribute stores and supplies for the regiment. Vehicles that could conveniently be left out of battle were also located with this echelon.
    However, in modern usage, F echelon is not used in relation to artillery organisation, whilst the A echelon is split into A1 and A2 Echelons.
     
  5. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Stolpi
    To cut through the official jargon..

    F - echelon was indeed the fighters in any corps

    A - brought all supplies from B echelon to the SQMS for distribution to the "F" squadron

    B - went back to Brigade - Division for the supplies from the RASC - who - in turn had brought them from the docks etc ....

    Both supply echelons had 3 tonners - 15 cwt pick ups - jeeps et al
    whereas the F squadrons had Tanks - Guns - Rifles and were either attacking or defending thus had to have a constant supply of stores of all kinds-especially mail - the same system applied when they were at rest ....

    Cheers
     
  6. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    .....
     
  7. red ling

    red ling Member

    I have beeen looking through the subjects and came across this one.
    In my fathers service record it is signed "? Lt. for D.A.A.G 2nd Echelon"
    Can anyone help with what this means.
     
  8. op-ack

    op-ack Senior Member

    Deputy Assistant Adjutant General 2nd Echelon

    Phil
     
  9. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Stolpi
    Normally - to the disgust of the Arty and Infantry - the Tanks would retire each evening into Laager where re stocking and maintenance would take place - at that time - "A" echelon would bring up the necessary supplies- we would the restock- do the maintenance - do an hours guard duty -eat dinner (sic) THEN some sleep-

    now and again we had to retire in the middle of a battle if the ammo and petrol was disappearing - this one time I wrote about but Diane knows how to transfer that link as I am useless at that operation - so - if she is here - she can show the "Green Envelopes for Tank bde -Rimini" -- she thinks it's a hoot - wasn't at the time...
    Cheers
     
  10. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    now and again we had to retire in the middle of a battle if the ammo and petrol was disappearing - this one time I wrote about but Diane knows how to transfer that link as I am useless at that operation - so - if she is here - she can show the "Green Envelopes for Tank bde -Rimini" -- she thinks it's a hoot - wasn't at the time...
    Cheers

    Here you go Tom, and it's still funny ;) I can almost see your faces!
    BBC - WW2 People's War - Green Envelopes for Tank Brigade, Rimini
     
    4jonboy likes this.
  11. red ling

    red ling Member

    Many thanks Phil.
    Another abbreviation to add to the list that was sent by the Record Office in Glasgow and arrived with my fathers service history.
     
  12. Wills

    Wills Very Senior Member

    A and B under the watchful eye of the staff officer. 'The staff officer should always seek to get completely into the mind of his commander and normally there is plenty of room'. Anon.
     
  13. red ling

    red ling Member

    THank you op-ack. Another puzzle solved and to be added to the list of abbreviations that came from the record office with my fathers service record.
    Red ling
    Sorry duplicated the reply
     
  14. DanMed

    DanMed Member

    What was the 2nd Echelon?
    My dad's records show Commando DAC 2nd Ech Mingalodon 12 May 1941, and then 13th Bn Kings Regt 2nd Ech India on 31 July 1942, and then again on 26 July 1943 Gloucestershire Regiment, GHZ/2nd Ech/XList..

    Thanks
     

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