FDL meaning?

Discussion in 'Unit History' started by Chris C, Aug 8, 2022.

  1. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Hi all,

    I thought this might mean "Forward Defence Localities" but I've checked one set of meanings which gives it as Forward Defended Localities or Forward Defended Line. Which was more common?
     
  2. JITTER PARTY

    JITTER PARTY Well-Known Member

    The Field Service Pocket Book says 'Forward Defended Locality'. That is good enough for me.
     
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  3. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Thank you very much!
     
  4. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.


    Chris, I think its Forward Defensive Lines..

    Regards,
    Stu.
     
  5. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    If you click on the Resources, you will find the Abbreviations & Acronyms. Its changed since I last looked at it years ago.

    It the three horizontal lines that are next to forums. Just looking at two RA books that I've got with me.

    Regards,
    Stu
     
  6. JITTER PARTY

    JITTER PARTY Well-Known Member

    On what basis? Do we now think that something that we happened to see on the internet is a better source than the FSPB, a pamphlet with which every WW2 officer would have been familiar?

    I would also point out the rather crucial difference between a 'locality' and 'lines'.
     
  7. Gary Kennedy

    Gary Kennedy Member

    The 1943 and 1944 FSPBs do indeed show Forward Defended Localities rather than Defensive Lines. The 1944 was kindly uploaded to the resources here by a member. The US Army equated their Main Line of Resistance (MLR) with the British FDL, but did recognise it was Localities. Perhaps there's been some conflation between the terms over the years, as without checking I'd probably have said Lines as well.

    Gary
     
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  8. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    I do not go off the internet JITTER PARTY. Most of the sources that I have are war diaries, rainging from Brigade down to Regiment, and Battalion ( never mind the Regimental and Battalion Histories that I have). Not that I've got many.

    I did say I think Its Forward Defensive Lines. It just rings a bell with the small amount of reading that one has done. I'm intrigued to know what the FSPBs document is?

    I was looking at a document earlier to comfirm what I thought it was but got no joy..

    Chris, if you are interested, then start a conversation with me and I will send the PDF document over? I've had it for a few years and It covers both the British & Yanks when it comes to acronyms and abbreviations. I think its rather good ( and I got it F.O.C.);)

    Edit.. I think I may have the FSPBs document? I did not make a note of what I was reading earlier. Yes, that was foolish.

    Regards,
    Stu
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2022
  9. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Here is what I was having a butchers at earlier (not the internet) I do not need the internet.. I came across this in 2015.

    U.S. Army Military institute L SERIES, NO.13 MAY 15, 1943. U.S. & British Military Terminology. It has around 215 pages.

    Regards,
    Stu.
     
  10. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Ironically I can't remember what I originally consulted - whether it was something online or a period document.
     
  11. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  12. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

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