DIVISION HEADQUARTERS The division was the smallest formation which contained all arms. This page contains Infantry Division Headquarters Armoured Division Headquarters Armoured Division Headquarters (Special). 79th Armoured Division DIVISION HEADQUARTERS Headquarters of an Infantry Division. War Establishment II/116/2. December 1943. Headquarters of an Infantry Division. War Establishment II/116/3. September 1944. Headquarters of an Armoured Division. War Establishment II/100/3. December 1943 Headquarters of an Armoured Division. War Establishment II/100/4. March 1945 Headquarters 79 Armoured Division. War Establishment VIII/724/1. April 1944 Headquarters 79 Armoured Division. War Establishment XIV/291/. May 1945 The division is the smallest unit composed of all arms. Strictly speaking the arms were infantry, cavalry/armour, artillery and engineers. Traditionally the reconnaissance element was provided by the cavalry but by 1944 this was the province of the Royal Armoured Corp. Other units belonged to the services. These included RASC, ordnance, medical, REME. Signals of course were attached to units at all levels and were both an arm and a service. The Headquarters of a division was designed to provide - the means to command a division - the staff to coordinate the deployment of arms - the staff to co ordinate the services that support the fighting arms The Divisional Commander is a Major General and will come from one of the arms. Obviously most commanders of infantry divisions will be from the infantry arm but generals have come from the cavalry, the artillery and the engineers. The principal duty of a commander is to make decisions, and having made them to issue orders that will implement them. The duty of the staff is - to provide the information which the commander needs to make a decision. - to issue the detailed orders needed to implement the decision - to arrange for the supply and maintenance of the troops Thus the staff is roughly divided into - intelligence to obtain and supply information - operations to make detailed plans and to issue detailed orders - A and Q to maintain supply and services Similarly the headquarters may be divided into three parts - a tactical headquarters for the commander and the decision making elements - a main headquarters for the operational staff - a rear headquarters for the service staffs. The duties of the major officers at Division Headquarters were as follows. The Aide de Camp is responsible for the personal comfort of the divisional commander and acts as a personal assistant. He may assist the Camp Commandant or act as Camp Commandant for advanced divisional headquarters. The GSO1 is the divisional Chief of Staff and is responsible for - implementing policy as directed by the General officer Commanding - coordinating and supervising all the work of the divisional headquarters The GSO2 is responsible for - issuing orders and instructions as ordered by GSO1 - organisation and working of the ‘G’ Office (Operations and Intelligence) - arranging and supervising duty officers at headquarters - control and interviewing of liaison officers at divisional headquarters - arrangements for moves of divisional headquarters in cooperation with the Officer Commanding Divisional Signals and the Camp Commandant The GSO3 (O) is assistant to the GSO2 and particularly responsible for - operations under the direction of GSO1 and GSO2 - moves by road - distribution of maps - supervision of draughtsmen who make charts and sketch maps - daily location statements - circulation of situation reports - supervision of the acknowledgement register - codes and ciphers - maintaining the ‘G’ War Diary The GSO3 (I) was responsible for the ‘G’ staff aspects of intelligence which were primarily to ensure that steps were taken to obtain information and to ensure that proper use was made of the information. - coordination of all intelligence work in the divisional area - maintaining the situation map - maintaining the divisional commanders battle map - issuing divisional intelligence summaries - reporting to the GOC on requests from brigades for air support - liaison with the Air Intelligence Liaison Officer - ordering and interpretation of air photographs - liaison with Intelligence Officer Royal Artillery - circulation of intelligence. The Intelligence Officer was responsible to the GSO3 (I). These two officers were to some extent interchangeable and one of them was always at divisional headquarters. The Intelligence Officer and his staff were responsible for the detailed examination of messages, documents, prisoners etc and with keeping intelligence records Liaison Officers work under the GSO2 and are responsible for liaison with the brigades, units on each flank and with corps headquarters. AA&QMG was responsible for administrative staff work and for the coordination of the work of the services. He worked closely with the ‘G’ staff The DAAG was responsible for all personnel matters including - reinforcements - medical services (with the Assistant Director of Medical Services) - spiritual welfare (with the Senior Chaplain) - graves - pay - discipline (with the Deputy Assistant Provost Marshal) - maintaining the A&Q diary - traffic control (with the Deputy Assistant Provost Marshal) The DAQMG was responsible for supply matters including - supplies of petrol, oil and lubricants, and ammunition (with the Commander Royal Army Service Corps) - ordnance services (with the Assistant Director of Ordnance Services) - quartering of troops (with ‘G’ staff) - moves by road ( with GSO2) INFANTRY DIVISION HEADQUARTERS The reference for the Headquarters of an Infantry Division is War Establishment II/116/2 with an effective date of 29th December 1943. This was superseded by War Establishment II/116/3 with an effective date of 15th September 1944. This contained eleven amendments. All of the amendments were of a minor nature and are listed in the text. Major General, General Officer Commanding Captain, Aide de Camp Staff General Staff branch General Staff Officer, Grade 1 Warrant Officer Class I clerk RASC staff serjeant clerk RASC corporal clerk RASC lance corporal clerk RASC 2 X clerk trained in the reproduction of tactical sketches RASC clerk RASC Operations General Staff Officer, Grade, 2 General Staff Officer, Grade 3 (Operations) General Staff Officer, Grade 3 (Intelligence) Intelligence Captain or lieutenant intelligence officer corporal clerk RASC clerk, trained in the reproduction of tactical sketches, RASC Liaison 2 X GSO3 3 X Lieutenant Liaison Officer Branch of the Adjutant General and Quartermaster General. Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General Deputy Assistant Adjutant General Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General Staff Captain Warrant Officer ClassII clerk RASC serjeant clerk RASC 3 X clerk RASC Services Chaplains Senior Chaplain to the Forces, 3rd Class 4 X chaplain Medical Assistant Director of Medical Services (ADMS), Colonel Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services (also acts as medical officer to Divisional Headquarters) Warrant Officer Class II clerk RAMC 2 X corporal clerk RAMC clerk RAMC lance corporal medical officers orderly Ordnance Assistant Director of Ordnance Services (Ordnance Officer 2nd Class), lieutenant colonel Ordnance Officer 4th class, captain staff serjeant ammunition examiner Warrant Officer Class I clerk RAOC Warrant Officer Class I clerk RAOC (to assist divisional troops) Serjeant clerk RAOC corporal clerk RAOC lance corporal clerk RAOC 4 X clerk RAOC serjeant storeman RAOC lance corporal storeman RAOC 2 X storeman RAOC motorcyclist REME Warrant Office Class II, tyre plant operator, REME Provost Assistant Provost Marshal lance corporal clerk RASC Note: In the September 1944 rewrite of the War Establishment the following section was added. Education. Staff officer (Education) Grade 3 clerk RASC Administration Captain camp commandant Company Serjeant major company quartermaster erjeant clerk RASC storeman 2 X vehicle mechanic RASC transport serjeant RASC corporal driver IC RASC 2 X lance corporal driver IC RASC 24 X driver IC RASC corporal orderly 17 X orderly 10 X batman driver 17 X batman 2 X water dutyman sanitary dutyman 3 X officers mess cook ACC corporal cook ACC 3 X cook ACC Total 152 Note: Corporal orderly and 11 orderlies are carried in the transport of divisional signals. Note: In the September 1944 rewrite the following changes were made. Two batmen were deleted and three batman drivers added. The extra batman driver was for the GSO3 (Education) who was assigned an extra 15cwt GS truck. At the same time the chaplains gained two more car 2 seater. Vehicles 4 X bicycle carried in the transport of divisional signals. 7 X motorcycle 5 X car sseater 5 X car 4 seater 7 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 5 X 15cwt GS 1 X 15cwt water 8 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS 2 X 3ton 4 X 2 store Organisation Motorcycle 1 corporal orderly Car 4 seater 4 X 4(Humber FWD Heavy Utility) 1 General Officer Commanding, lance corporal operator RS, corporal driver IC Carries a Wireless set No22 This vehicle was the Commanding Officers personal transport Car 4seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD Heavy Utility) 1 General Staff Officer Grade1, corporal driver The following Lorry Command Vehicles are provided by Divisional Signals for the use of the Divisional Headquarters. Lorry Command Vehicle LP 1 corporal operator, operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No 19 and Wireless set No 19 HP This vehicle is A1 and is for the Divisional Command net, RT (voice). Lorry Command Vehicle LP 2 corporal operator, operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No 19 and Wireless set No 19 HP This vehicle is A2 for the Divisional Command net, CW (Morse and teleprinter). Lorry Command Vehicle LP 3 corporal operator, operator, corporal instrument mechanic, driver mechanic Carries VHF Wireless set AM 1143 and Wireless set No19 This vehicle is A3 and is Reserve and Tactical Reconnaissance (Air). Lorry Command Vehicle LP 4 corporal operator, 2 X operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No 19 and Wireless set No 19 HP This vehicle is A4 and is for links to flank formations. Lorry Command Vehicle HP 1 corporal operator, operator, electrician, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set 12 HP and Wireless set No 19 plus R.107 This vehicle is A5 and is for the Main Corp net RT (voice). Lorry Command Vehicle HP 2 serjeant, corporal operator, operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set 12 HP and Wireless set No 19 plus receiver R107 This vehicle is A6 and is for the Main Corp net (CW) and acts as Signal Office Lorry Command Vehicle HP 3 corporal operator, operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set 12 HP and Wireless set No 19 plus Receiver R107 This vehicle is A7 and is for communication with Rear Division Headquarters. Armoured Car (Staghound) 1 operator, driver operator Carries Wireless set No19 and no 19 HP Armoured Car (Staghound) 2 operator, driver operator Carries Wireless set No19 and no 19 HP Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) General Staff Officer Grade 2, driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) General Staff Officer Grade 3 (O), driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) General Staff Officer Grade 3 (I), driver IC 3ton 4 X 2 GS for use as office staff serjeant clerk RASC, corporal clerk RASC, lance corporal clerk RASC, 2 X clerk trained in the reproduction of tactical sketches RASC, clerk RASC, driver IC 3ton 4 X 2 GS for use as office Intelligence Officer, corporal clerk RASC, clerk trained in the reproduction of tactical sketches RASC, driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) General Staff Officer Grade 3, Liaison Officer, driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) General Staff Officer Grade 3, Liaison Officer, driver IC Motorcycle Subaltern, Liaison Officer Motorcycle Subaltern, Liaison Officer Motorcycle Subaltern, Liaison Officer AA&QMG Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD Heavy Utility) Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) AGQMG branch 3ton 4 X 2 GS for use as office Adjutant Generals Branch 3ton 4 X 2 GS for use as office Quartermaster Generals Branch Ordnance Motorcycle Warrant Officer Class II for divisional troops Motorcycle motorcyclist Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD Heavy Utility) Assistant Director of Ordnance Services (Ordnance Officer 2nd Class), driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) Ordnance Officer 4th class, batman driver 3ton 4 X 2 GS for use as Office Warrant Officer Class I clerk RAOC, Serjeant clerk RAOC, corporal clerk RAOC, lance corporal clerk RAOC, 4 X clerk RAOC 3ton 4 X 2 stores staff serjeant ammunition examiner, serjeant storeman RAOC, lance corporal storeman RAOC, 2 X storeman RAOC Medical car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD Heavy Utility) Assistant Director of Medical Services, driver IC car 2 seater (Light Utility) Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services, batman driver 3ton 4 X 2 GS for use as office Warrant Officer Class II clerk RAMC, 2 X corporal clerk RAMC, clerk RAMC, lance corporal medical officers orderly Chaplains car 2 seater (Light Utility) chaplain car 2 seater (Light Utility) chaplain car 2 seater (Light Utility) chaplain Administrative Motorcycle transport serjeant car 2 seater (Light Utility) Camp Commandant 15cwt GS officer mess 15cwt GS officers mess 15cwt GS officers Mess 15cwt GS other ranks mess 15cwt GS other ranks mess 15cwt water 3ton 4 X 2 GS personnel 3ton 4 X 2 GS personnel and petrol distribution 3ton 4 X 2 stores stores and baggage Note: In September 1944 the following were added 15cwt GS GSO3 (Education), clerk, batman driver Car 2seat 4 X 2 (Light Utility) Chaplain, batman driver Car 2 seat 4 X 2 (Light Utility) Chaplain, batman driver A (wireless) section Royal Signals The eight Lorry Command Vehicles belonging to this section are shown above. Motorcycle Subaltern Motorcycle electrician Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) Captain, batman driver 15cwt 4 X 4 Personnel (White) 2 X relief operator, driver IC For battery distribution 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS corporal relief operator, 6 X relief operator, 4 X relief driver IC, batman, driver IC Relief operators and relief drivers IC are for the Lorry Command Vehicles. 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS electrician, driver mechanic Carries 6KW charging set ‘A’ section also had the following - a lance corporal operator and a Wireless set No 22 carried in the Divisional Commanders Car 4 seater 4 X 4 - 6 X R107 receivers are carried in any section as space allows. Note: By 1945 the following changes had been made - One 3ton 4 X 4 GS now towed a 1 ton trailer - Lorry Command Vehicle A7 now towed a 6Kw generator trailer See Also Divisional Headquarters Defence and Employment platoon. War Establishment II/146/2 August 9 1944 Divisional Provost Company War Establishment II/341/2 March 1944 Field Security Section. ARMOURED DIVISION HEADQUARTERS Headquarters of an Armoured Division. War Establishment II/100/3. December 1943 Headquarters of an Armoured Division. War Establishment II/100/4. March 1945 The fast moving Armoured Division had a small tactical headquarters in which all the key personnel were in armoured vehicles and in contact by voice wireless. The non essential personnel were well to the rear in unarmoured vehicles. Since this made organisation more difficult the clerical personnel of the staff branches were placed under the control of the Headquarters Squadron. Good wireless communication within and between the headquarters was essential. To ensure this the Royal Signals vehicles and personnel were fully integrated into the headquarters with key staff travelling in Royal Signals vehicles and Royal Signals personnel manning wireless sets in Headquarters vehicles. In a fast moving armoured division it was necessary to have some of the representatives of the arms and services close to the tactical headquarters. This meant that the Commander Royal Engineers was usually at the headquarters as were key members of his staff and a couple of Royal Engineer reconnaissance or liaison officers. Engineers would be required to act rapidly to clear obstacles or build bridges in order to maintain the momentum of an advance. Similarly the Commander Royal Artillery was provided with a tank so that he could travel with the tactical headquarters. In 21 Army Group there were only three British Armoured Divisions Guards Armoured Division 7th Armoured Division 11th Armoured Division Personnel Major General, General Officer Commanding Captain or Subaltern, Aide de camp Staff General Staff branch General Staff Officer, Grade 1 Operations General Staff Officer Grade, 2 General Staff Officer, Grade 3 (Operations) General Staff Officer, Grade 3 (Intelligence) General Staff Officer, Grade 3 (Air) Intelligence Captain or lieutenant intelligence officer Liaison General Staff Officer, Grade 3 (Liaison) 3 X Subaltern Liaison officer Branch of the Adjutant General and Quartermaster General. Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General Deputy Assistant Adjutant General Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General Staff Captain A Staff Captain Q Attached to the General staff Royal Engineers Commander RE, Lieutenant Colonel Adjutant, Captain Subaltern Intelligence Officer 2 X Subaltern (Field Engineers) Services Chaplains Senior chaplain to the forces, 3rd Class 3 X chaplain Medical Assistant Director of Medical Services (ADMS), Colonel Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services (also acts as medical officer to Divisional Headquarters) Ordnance Assistant Director of Ordnance Services (Ordnance Officer 2nd Class), lieutenant colonel Ordnance Officer 4th class, captain Provost Assistant Provost Marshal - In 1944 the following were added Education Staff officer (Education) Grade III clerk RASC Headquarters Squadron Major RAC, Squadron Commander Captain RAC, Squadron Second in Command Captain, Camp Commandant 2 X Subaltern Regimental Serjeant Major RAC Squadron Serjeant Major RAC Quartermaster Serjeant (technical) RAC squadron quartermaster serjeant RAC mechanist serjeant RAC 6 X serjeant RAC transport serjeant RAC staff serjeant ammunition examiner RAOC serjeant armourer REME 30 X batman 5 X batman driver Serjeant clerk RAC corporal clerk RAC clerk RAC serjeant clerk RE 2 X clerk RE WOII clerk RASC for A and Q duties serjeant clerk RASC for A and Q duties 3 X clerk RASC for A and Q duties clerk RASC for Assistant Provost Marshal clerk RASC for Camp Commandant WOI clerk RASC for General Staff staff serjeant clerk RASC for General Staff 5 X clerk RASC for General Staff WOII clerk RAMC corporal clerk RAMC 2 X clerk RAMC WOI Clerk RAC WOI clerk RAOC for armoured divisional troops 2 X cooks ACC for officers mess 5 X cook ACC carpenter and Joiner RAC electrician RAC 8 X vehicle mechanic RAC 3 X draughtsman (architectural) RE driver IC RAOC 31 X driver IC RAC 11 X driver IC 3 X driver mechanic RAC 11 X driver mechanic AFV RAC 24 X driver operator RAC 9 X gunner mechanic RAC 11 X gunner operator RAC 11 X motorcyclist WOII (tyre repair plant) REME 6 X orderly for divisional signals officers mess orderly 2 X sanitary dutyman 2 X storeman serjeant storeman RAOC 9 X storeman RAOC serjeant technical storeman RAOC 2 X technical storeman 2 X water dutyman Total 289 Note that in War Establishment II/100/4 of March 1945 the following changes were made A batman was removed 2 X batman driver were added, one for the Staff Officer (Education) Grade III and one for the 3ton 4 X 4 caravan. Vehicles 11 X motorcycle 5 X car 2 seater 1 X car 4 seater 5 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 7 X car 4seater 4 X 4 1 X 15cwt GS 1 X 15cwt water 1 X 15cwt office 2 X 15cwt personnel 9 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 X 3ton 4 X 4 Office 2 X 3ton 4 X 4 kitchen 1 X 3ton 6 X 4 stores 11 X scout car 1 X carrier Starting and Charging 2 X AA tank 7 X Cruiser tank 2 X armoured car, command 4 X 1ton trailer. Main Headquarters Cruiser Tank 1 (Command) Subaltern (Liaison Officer), corporal driver operator, driver mechanic, gunner operator Operator RS attached from Armoured Divisional Signals. Carries 2 X Wireless set No 19 Cruiser Tank 2 (Command) Subaltern (Liaison Officer), corporal driver operator, driver mechanic, gunner operator Operator RS attached from Armoured Divisional Signals. Carries 2 X Wireless set No 19 Cruiser Tank 3 (Command) corporal gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No19 and No19HP For the use of the Commander RA Cruiser Tank 4 Subaltern (Liaison Officer), corporal driver operator, driver mechanic, gunner operator, gunner mechanic Armoured Car (Staghound) Subaltern (in charge of advanced divisional headquarters), serjeant RAC, driver mechanic, driver operator Carries Wireless set No 19 and No 19 HP Armoured Car (Staghound) Aide de Camp, driver mechanic, driver operator, gunner operator Carries Wireless set No 19 and No 19 HP Protection Troop Cruiser Tank 5 Subaltern, corporal driver operator, driver mechanic, gunner operator, gunner mechanic Cruiser tank 6 serjeant RAC, driver mechanic, driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic Cruiser Tank 7 serjeant RAC, driver mechanic, driver operator, gunner operator, gunner mechanic AA Tank 1 serjeant RAC, driver mechanic, gunner operator, gunner mechanic AA Tank 2 corporal driver operator, driver mechanic, gunner operator, gunner mechanic Command vehicles Armoured Command Vehicle LP (Royal Signals) corporal operator RS, operator RS, driver mechanic RS Carries a Bren lmg Carries Wireless set No 19 and Wireless set No 19 HP This vehicle is A1 and is for the Divisional Command net, RT (voice). Armoured Command Vehicle LP (Royal Signals) corporal operator RS, operator RS, driver mechanic RS Carries a Bren lmg Carries Wireless set No 19 and Wireless set No 19 This vehicle is A2 and is for the Divisional Command net, CW (Morse and teleprinter). Armoured Command Vehicle LP (Royal Signals) corporal operator RS, operator RS, corporal instrument mechanic (later wireless mechanic) RS, driver mechanic RS Carries a Bren lmg Carries VHF Wireless set AM 1143 and Wireless set No19 This vehicle is A3 and is Reserve and Tactical Reconnaissance (Air). Armoured Command Vehicle LP (Royal Signals) corporal operator RS, 2 X operator RS, driver mechanic RS Carries a Bren lmg Carries Wireless set No 19 and Wireless set No 19 HP This vehicle is A4 and is for links to flank formations. Armoured Command Vehicle HP (Royal Signals) corporal operator RS, operator RS, electrician RS, driver mechanic RS Carries a Bren lmg Carries Wireless set RCA and Wireless set No 19 plus R.107 This vehicle is A5 and is for the Main Corp net RT (voice). Armoured Command Vehicle HP (Royal Signals) serjeant RS, corporal operator RS, operator RS, 2 X cipher operator RS, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set RCA and Wireless set No 19 plus receiver R107 This vehicle is A6 and is for the Main Corp net (CW) and acts as Signal Office. Armoured Command Vehicle HP (Royal Signals) corporal operator RS, operator RS, 2 X cipher operator RS, driver mechanic RS Carries a Bren lmg Carries Wireless set RCA and Wireless set No 19 plus Receiver R107 This vehicle is A7 and is for communication with Rear Division Headquarters. Armoured Command Vehicle HP (Royal Signals) corporal operator RS, operator RS, driver mechanic RS Carries Wireless set RCA and Wireless set No 19 plus Receiver R107 This vehicle is A8 and is for communication with RAF Airfield. Scout Car Subaltern RE, driver operator Scout Car Subaltern RE, driver operator The two Royal Engineer Subalterns were Field Engineers rather than Staff Officers. Their role was to reconnoitre routes and ensure that they were suitable for the division to use. If they were not suitable then they were to assess the Royal Engineer resources required to make them passable. Note that there was also a Royal Engineer Intelligence Officer and staff with the Intelligence Section. Intelligence Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) General Staff Officer 3rd grade, driver IC 15cwt truck GS Intelligence Officer RE, driver IC RE For use as RE Intelligence Office 3ton lorry 4 X 4 Fitted for Office 2 X clerk RE, driver IC RE For use as CRE Office - Note: In September 1944 the following vehicle was added under an amendment to the 1943 war establishment 15cwt truck GS Staff Officer (Education) Grade III, clerk RASC, batman driver In action the Staff Officer (Education) assists with intelligence duties For intercommunication These would be assigned as required Scout Car 1 serjeant RAC, driver operator Scout Car 2 corporal driver, driver operator Scout Car 3 corporal driver, driver operator Scout Car 4 driver operator, driver IC Scout Car 5 driver operator, driver IC Scout Car 6 driver operator, driver IC Scout Car 7 driver operator, driver IC Scout Car 8 driver operator, driver IC Scout Car 9 driver operator, driver IC Motorcycle 1 corporal motorcyclist Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Motorcycle 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle 5 motorcyclist Motorcycle 6 motorcyclist Motorcycle 7 motorcyclist Motorcycle 8 motorcyclist Motorcycle 9 motorcyclist Motorcycle 10 motorcyclist Administrative Note: In the original document the term Light Utility Car is used instead of the more common Car 2seater 4 X 2. Light Utility Car Camp Commandant, Squadron Quartermaster Serjeant, clerk RASC, batman driver Motorcycle batman for intelligence officer Light Utility Car Chaplain, batman driver Light Utility Car Chaplain, batman driver Light Utility Car Chaplain, batman driver Light Utility Car Chaplain, batman driver Light Utility Car (attached from Armoured Divisional Provost Company) Assistant Provost Marshall, clerk RASC, batman driver (attached from Armoured Divisional Provost Company) Car 4seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD Heavy Utility) Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, Staff Captain A, clerk RASC (Q), driver IC -Note: In the March 1945 establishment this vehicle has changed to- Car 4 seater 4 X 2 open Unusually this car is specified as being open. Many Humber Snipe 4 X 2 were open, but other War Establishments list them all as Car 4 seater 4 X 2. Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD Heavy Utility) Staff Captain Q, batman, driver IC. Carries a Bren lmg There is a spare seat for a liaison officer. Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD Heavy Utility) clerk RASC (A and Q), batman, corporal driver IC There is a spare seat for Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD Heavy Utility) Assistant Director of Ordnance Services, Captain RAOC, Warrant Officer clerk RAOC, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD Heavy Utility) Assistant Director of Medical Services, Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services, clerk RAMC, driver IC Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD Heavy Utility) draughtsman (architectural) RE, batman, driver IC There is a spare seat for Commander RE Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD Heavy Utility) Commander headquarters squadron, Regimental Serjeant Major RAC, serjeant clerk RAC, corporal driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Car 6 seater 4 X 2 corporal driver IC Commanders car. Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 staff serjeant ammunition examiner RAOC, driver IC RAOC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 serjeant motorcyclist Carries Bren lmg Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 3 driver IC Carries Bren lmg Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 4 driver IC Carries Bren lmg 15cwt truck 4 X 2 personnel storeman (technical) RAC, 4 X batman, driver IC Carries Bren lmg 15cwt truck 4 X 2 personnel serjeant RAC, 2 X driver operator, 2 X driver mechanic, 2 X gunner operator, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg For relief personnel 15cwt truck Office 3 X clerk RAMC, driver IC For use as Assistant Director of Medical Services’ office 15cwt truck, water water dutyman RAC, driver IC 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 1 10 X batman, driver IC Carries officers mess and baggage Carries Bren lmg Tows a 1ton trailer 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 2 corporal cook ACC, 2 X cook ACC, sanitary dutyman, 3 X batman, driver IC Carries mens mess Tows a 1ton trailer 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 3 corporal vehicle mechanic, 2 X vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries Bren lmg Carries vehicle mechanics tools and stores 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 4 serjeant storeman RAOC, 5 X storeman RAOC, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Carries stores and baggage Tows a 1ton trailer 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 5 Quartermaster Serjeant (technical) RAC, transport serjeantRAC, clerk RASC (General Staff), vehicle mechanic. 2 X storeman, 4 X batman, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Tows a 1ton trailer 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 6 storeman (technical), 3 X vehicle mechanics, carpenter and joiner, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Carries petrol 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 7 serjeant storeman (technical) RAC, clerk RAC, 4 X batman, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Carries petrol 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 8 Warrant Officer tyre plant operator, serjeant armourer REME, 4 X storeman RAOC, driver IC Carries Ammunition, anti gas stores and reserve clothing 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 9 relief corporal driver operator, 2 X relief gunner mechanic, driver IC Carries Bren lmg Carries ammunition - Note: The Bren lmg shown as being carried by 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1, 3, 5 6, 7 and 9 are not shown in the 1943 establishment but were added later. 3ton lorry GS fitted for office corporal clerk RASC, 4 X clerk RASC (general staff), driver IC For use as General Staff Office 3ton lorry GS fitted for office 3 X clerk RASC (A and Q) driver IC For use as A and Q Office 3ton lorry GS fitted for office Warrant Office clerk RAOC, serjeant clerk RAOC, 6 X clerk RAOC, driver IC For use as Assistant Director of Ordnance Services’ Office 3ton lorry 4 X 4 kitchen 2 X cooks ACC, sanitary dutyman, water dutyman RAC, driver IC 3ton lorry 4 X 4 kitchen 2 X cooks ACC,lance serjeant orderly, orderly, driver IC For Officers Mess 3ton lorry 6 X 4 stores mechanist serjeant, vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries vehicle mechanics tools Carrier slave battery electrician RAC, driver mechanic RAC Captain RAC (second in command headquarters squadron), squadron serjeant major RAC and 6 X orderly are carried in the transport of the armoured divisional signals - In late 1944 the following was added 3ton lorry 4 X 4 Caravan batman driver Employment platoon The platoon is attached to the headquarters of an armoured division and messing arrangements will be made by the headquarters. serjeant corporal 2 X lance corporal 3 X driver IC 27 X trooper Total 34 Lorry 3ton 4 X 4 GS driver IC For personnel and baggage Lorry 3ton 4 X 4 GS driver IC For personnel and baggage Lorry 3ton 4 X 4 GS driver IC For personnel and baggage HEADQUARTERS 79th ARMOURED DIVISION Listed as Headquarters of an Armoured Division (Special) War Establishment VIII/724/1. April 1944 War Establishment XIV/291/. May 1945 Over the course of the year between the issue of the two establishments there were only very minor changes. The General Staff Officer Grade 2, E Wing and his batman were deleted in May 1944. E Wing was the training wing preparing for D Day thus its work was done by May. At some time during the campaign an amendment was issued and this was incorporated in the May 1945 establishment table. The following additions were included 1 X Caravan Class II batman driver The following were included but not to be implemented without further instruction from the War Office. All were concerned with education and probably were not included until after the war. Staff Officer, Education, 3rd Grade Education Officer (may be Subaltern) 4 X serjeant instructor AEC corporal clerk RASC 3 X clerk RASC 2 X batman batman driver 1 X Car 2 seater, 4 X 2, Light Utility 1 X Car 4 seater, 4 X 4 Given the size and complexity of the division it is possible that additional headquarters staff were attached from time to time from other headquarters. Personnel Major General, General Officer Commanding Captain or Subaltern, Aide de camp Staff Secretary Staff General Staff branch General Staff Officer, Grade 1, Operations and Training General Staff Officer, Grade 1, Technical Duties General Staff Officer, Grade 2 General Staff Officer, Grade 2, E Wing (only until May 1944) 3 X General Staff Officer, Grade 3 General Staff Officer, Grade 3, Technical Duties Captain or Lieutenant, Intelligence Officer 2 X Major, Liaison Officer Captain, Liaison Officer Branch of the Adjutant General and Quartermaster General. Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General Deputy Assistant Adjutant General 2 X Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General Staff Captain A Staff Captain Q Attached to the General staff Staff Officer, Education, Grade III Services Chaplains Senior chaplain to the forces, 3rd Class Chaplain Medical Assistant Director of Medical Services (ADMS), Colonel Ordnance Assistant Director of Ordnance Services (Ordnance Officer 2nd Class), lieutenant colonel Ordnance Officer 4th class, captain Provost Assistant Provost Marshal Headquarters Squadron Major RAC, Squadron Commander Captain RAC, Squadron Second in Command Captain or Quartermaster, Camp Commandant Subaltern Regimental Serjeant Major RAC Squadron Serjeant Major RAC squadron quartermaster serjeant RAC mechanist serjeant RAC 3 X serjeant RAC transport serjeant RAC staff serjeant ammunition examiner RAOC serjeant armourer REME 10 X serjeant instructor APTC 28 X batman (less one when GSO2 E Wing left) 4 X batman driver serjeant clerk RAC corporal clerk RAC clerk RAC WOII clerk RASC for A and Q duties serjeant clerk RASC for A and Q duties 5 X clerk RASC for A and Q duties clerk RASC for Assistant Provost Marshal clerk RASC for Camp Commandant clerk RASC for Education WOI clerk RASC for General Staff staff serjeant clerk RASC for General Staff 2 X corporal clerk RASC for General Staff 2 X lance corporal clerk RASC for General Staff 6 X clerk RASC for General Staff WOII clerk RAMC corporal clerk RAMC 2 X clerk RAMC WOI Clerk RAC WOI clerk RAOC for armoured divisional troops serjeant clerk RAOC corporal clerk RAOC 5 X clerk RAOC trained in technical and MT stores Note: Total RASC clerks includes two shorthand writers cook ACC for officers mess corporal cook ACC 4 X cook ACC carpenter and Joiner RAC electrician RAC 4 X vehicle mechanic RAC 3 X draughtsman (topographical) RE driver IC RAOC 31 X driver IC RAC 8 X driver IC 3 X driver mechanic RAC 13 X driver operator RAC gunner operator RAC 11 X motorcyclist WOII (tyre repair plant) REME Note: Carpenter and joiner, electrician and vehicle mechanics include two corporals, two lance corporals and two privates. Total drivers, driver mechanics, driver operators and gunner operators include four lance serjeants and four corporals. 6 X orderly for divisional signals lance corporal medical officers orderly serjeant officers mess orderly officers mess orderly 2 X sanitary dutyman 2 X storeman serjeant storeman RAC storeman RAC serjeant technical storeman RAOC 9 X technical storeman RAOC 2 X water dutyman Total 232 Vehicles 11 X motorcycle 3 X car 2 seater 1 X car 6 seater 5 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 7 X car 4seater 4 X 4 1 X 15cwt GS 1 X 15cwt water 1 X 15cwt office 1 X 15cwt personnel 6 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 X 3ton 4 X 4 Office 2 X 3ton 4 X 4 kitchen 1 X 3ton 6 X 4 stores 11 X scout car 2 X armoured car, command 4 X 1ton trailer. ORDERS. “I don’t now why I bother with orders. The infantry don’t read them, the cavalry can’t read them and the artillery make their own arrangements.” A Victorian staff officer. All headquarters issued orders concerning action on the part of the troops under their command. Orders were formulated by the commander and enlarged on by the staff. Orders always follow the same format so that they can be read and understood by the recipient in even the most extreme conditions. There was a list of headings and if there was nothing to be said under any particular heading then ‘NONE’ should be entered to make it clear that the omission was deliberate and not an error in typing or transmission. It was essential that all recipients should have all the information necessary while avoiding unnecessary detail. Information. The orders should give units a) all the relevant information regarding the enemy, his positions, weapons and intentions. b) all relevant information on own troops and their roles. Intention. A clear, simple statement of what the action was intended to be achieved. While initiative might be desirable subordinates should never lose sight of the intention of the action. Something like ‘2 RF will occupy Hill 240’ might say all that is necessary. Method. This section would contain the information required to co ordinate the action. Allocation of troops to perform the various tasks Location of the forming up point Order of March Start Line Timings, generally expressed as a time plus or minus Z for Zero Hour or simply H for Hour. Artillery Fire Plan Consolidation of the objective. Administration. All troops would need to know some administrative details such as Location of supply points Location of ammunition points Location of medical services such as Regimental Aid Posts, Casualty Collection Points etc. Other details such as the arrangements for REME, Ordnance and Provost units might be included as an appendix and circulated only to units who needed to know. Intercommunication All units would need to know The location of unit headquarters Routes to be followed by troops and transport Codewords Wireless frequencies allotted to various units Verey light signals. Orders would also contain The signature of the responsible officer A request for acknowledgement of receipt of the orders A distribution list showing who should have copies A clear reminder of Zero Hour There might also be appendices which gave additional information or which applied only to certain troops. These orders might be given orally at an O Group in addition to being sent in writing. Written orders were usually sent by despatch rider. Higher headquarters had a Special Message Service. Orders were rarely transmitted by wireless, even in cipher, since this took time, could be unreliable and might be intercepted. Orders might be delivered by a Liaison Officer who would then be able to explain, emphasise or enlarge on certain aspects. Once received the orders would be adapted to the needs of the particular unit and then duplicated for distribution to sub units. Almost certainly a headquarters would receive a formal warning that orders were on the way. This might be by telephone or wireless. In any case informal warnings would have been received. Staff officers at higher headquarters would warn their fellow staff officers at lower headquarters. Chief clerks at higher headquarters would warn chief clerks at lower headquarters. BRIGADE DEPLOYMENT. On receiving orders from Divisional Headquarters the Brigadier would formulate his own plan and then proceed on a reconnaissance with his R Group. The R Group would consist of the Brigadier, the Brigade Major or Brigade Intelligence Officer (the other remaining at Brigade Headquarters), the Brigade Signal Officer plus similar R Groups from attached or supporting units. A wireless vehicle, usually the Brigadiers 15cwt 4 X 4, would accompany the R Group, as would a number of despatch riders and orderlies. At some convenient point behind the R Group there would be a rendezvous point. This would probably be the point where all the components of the R Group met before proceeding on their reconnaissance and was the point at which the components of the Brigade Orders Group would meet. The Brigade O Group would be proceeding to and assembling at the Rendezvous Point while the R Group was being held. Having completed the R Group the Brigadier would return to the O Group which would consist of the R groups of the three infantry battalions plus those of any supporting arms not at the R Group and any others that the Brigadier might include, such as the artillery representative. An assembly area would be selected either before or at the R Group and the Fighting Group would be moving forward to the area while the O Group was being conducted. This Group would include all the elements of the brigade, and supporting units, which were to take part in the operation. Some units might already be in action at this point, especially engineers and artillery. All transport not required for the operation, including the brigade’s administrative transport and unit B echelons would be parked in the rear until required. When the Brigade O Group was over the various units would repeat the process, holding their own R Group and O Group. (see Arms/Infantry?Infantry Battalion). MILITARY MAPS. Maps were an essential part of operational planning and tactical control. Maps were reproduced by Royal Engineer sections at major headquarters. These were accurate and detailed, if possible Ordnance Survey maps or the equivalent. Maps could be produced from scratch using air photographs if necessary but this was unusual in NW Europe. Military maps could be overprinted with grids and important information. As the maps passed down through various levels of command more information could be added in the form of overprinting until the maps arrived at unit level where even more additional information could be added in the form of overlays or handwritten symbols. Sketch maps could be drawn by RE personnel at Divisional level. These were normally attached to orders and not used tactically. The infantry brigade normally had maps showing the brigade area and that of the brigades on either flank. Battalions had maps showing the battalion area, plus the battalion areas on either flank, plus a sufficient area of enemy held ground to show defences and enable an advance to be plotted. In all cases friendly units and installations were in red and the enemy in blue. Standard symbols were used so that the maps were readily understood by all.
