Can anyone give me an accurate definition of exactly what comprised Echelon A and B please? I have a notion of what each echelon was but would appreciate a more informed definition from forum members. Jerry
A Echelon provided transport to supply a battalion with its needs to stay operational (Both before and after an engagement ie Fuel,Food,Ammunition etc) these were ferried to the front after being collected from B Echelon. B Echelon provided transport to collect operational supplies from the various Corps depots. Situated behind the fighting troops it provided Workshops and larger stockpiles of stores and equipment for a battalion. There is another Echelon I believe within the battalion for frontline transport ,anti tank guns etc I may be wrong but it may be F (Frontline or Fighting?) Echelon? Kyle
Mr Jinks perfectly correct with your description of both A and B echelons - the F echelon was actually the Fighting Echelon - as that was all they did apart from sucking up supplies and moaning when tea was late…normally in a Tank regiment… fighting would cease at sundown and we would head for Laager to await the new supplies and do maintenance etc - then have dinner (sic) guard duty and sometimes sleep before starting to fight once more with a piece of bread and a cuppa- the supplies were carried by the RASC to the various depots from the docks etc- and sorted out for the various Divisions - brigades and regiments - for the individual "B " echelons Cheers
