Field Artillery - Field Regiment

Discussion in 'Artillery' started by von Poop, Nov 28, 2011.

  1. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    FIELD REGIMENT RA.

    Field Regiment. War Establishment II/190B/1. December 1943
    Field Battery, Self Propelled, 105mm. War Establishment II/189/1. August 1943.
    Field Regiment SP 25pdr RAM. War Establishment II/190A/2. May 1944
    Field Regiment SP 25pdr RAM. War Establishment XIV/540/1. March 1945.


    FIELD REGIMENT RA
    War Establishment II/190B/1. December 1943

    Note: This establishment table covers field regiments in both infantry divisions and armoured divisions. Previously there were two separate tables.

    In early 1945 additional vehicles were authorised as follows

    Regimental Headquarters
    1 X jeep added to give the Commanding Officer greater mobility
    Each battery Headquarters


    1 X jeep added for the Battery Commander to carry additional Observation Post staff and wireless.
    [/list] 1 X 15cwt for additional signallers
    Each troop


    1 X jeep added for the Troop Commander to carry additional Observation Post staff and wireless.

    [/list] If the Field Artillery Regiment was operating with an armoured brigade or a tank brigade it could draw on the pool of eight Observation Post tanks held at Brigade Headquarters. These were for the use of Commanding officers and observers as required. They were tanks of the type used by the brigade. Drivers were RAC and the main armament was retained although ammunition stowage was reduced to make more space for extra wireless sets, mapboards etc.

    Personnel
    Lieutenant Colonel, Officer Commanding
    Major, Second in Command
    3 X Major, Battery Commanders
    Captain, Adjutant
    9 X Captain
    20 X subaltern
    Quartermaster

    Regimental Serjeant Major
    Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant
    9 X Battery Serjeant Major

    3 X battery quartermaster serjeant
    duty serjeant
    3 X signalling serjeant
    survey serjeant
    24 X serjeant, No 1 of guns

    15 X lance serjeant
    48 X bombardier
    33 X lance bombardier
    325 X gunners

    150 X Tradesman (see below)
    Total 656

    Plus attached
    Medical Officer RAMC
    armourer serjeant REME
    4 X officers mess cooks ACC
    3 X corporal cook ACC
    14 X cook ACC
    Total 673


    Tradesmen
    7 X Artificer RA or gun fitter
    8 X battery surveyor
    serjeant clerk, RA clerks section
    9 X clerk
    42 X driver mechanic
    3 X driver mechanic AFV
    54 X driver operator
    3 X equipment repairer
    5 X technical storeman (including a serjeant at regimental headquarters)
    18 X vehicle mechanics

    Non tradesmen
    15 X ammunition numbers
    35 X batman
    2 X batman driver
    butchery dutyman
    12 X command post officer’s assistants
    90 X driver IC
    120 X gun number
    12 X gun position officer’s assistants
    28 X lmg numbers
    medical officers orderly
    12 X motor cycle orderly
    9 X observation post assistants
    4 X sanitary dutyman
    72 X signaller
    4 X storeman
    4 X water dutyman

    26 X motorcycle
    2 X car 4seater 4 X 4
    17 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
    17 X 15cwt truck GS
    1 X 15cwt truck office
    1 X 15cwt truck personnel
    21 X 15cwt truck FFW
    4 X 15cwt truck water
    24 X lorry 3ton 4 X 4
    36 X field artillery tractor
    6 X armoured observation post
    3 X tank observation post
    48 X trailer, artillery (ammunition limbers)
    8 X travelling platforms for 20mm guns
    24 X 25pdr.


    ORGANISATION
    Motorcycle 1
    survey serjeant
    Motorcycle 2
    battery surveyor
    Motorcycle 3
    commanding officers orderly
    Motorcycle 4
    second in commands orderly
    Motorcycle 5
    adjutants orderly

    4 seater car 4 X 4
    Commanding Officer, subaltern, driver IC
    4 seater car 4 X 4
    Second in Command, driver IC

    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 1
    Medical Officer, batman driver
    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 2
    Subaltern (survey officer), battery surveyor
    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 3
    2 X battery surveyor
    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 4
    2 X battery surveyor
    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 5
    Quartermaster, batman driver

    15cwt truck GS 1
    2 X battery surveyor
    Carries survey stores
    15cwt truck GS 2
    medical officers orderly, sanitary dutyman, driver IC

    15cwt truck Office
    Regimental Serjeant Major, 2 X clerks, driver IC

    15cwt truck personnel
    Adjutant, serjeant clerk, duty serjeant, 2 X lmg numbers, vehicle mechanic,
    driver IC
    Carries 2 X Bren gun

    15cwt truck water
    water dutyman, driver IC

    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 1
    cook, 5 X batman, butchery dutyman, 2 X lmg numbers, driver IC
    Carries cooking sets, and rations
    Carries 2 X Bren lmg and a PIAT
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 2
    Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant, storeman, clerk, 2 X cook, driver IC
    Carries Quartermaster stores.
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 3


    2 X vehicle mechanic, serjeant technical storeman, technical storeman, artificer RA, serjeant armourer REME, driver IC
    [/list] Carries MT stores and petrol

    Travelling platforms 1 and 2
     
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  2. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    The Batteries (X3)
    Each of the three batteries was identical and organised as follows.

    Command
    Motorcycle 1
    signalling serjeant
    Motorcycle 2
    orderly
    Motorcycle 3
    orderly
    Motorcycle 4
    orderly
    Motorcycle 5
    command post officers assistant

    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 1
    Battery Serjeant Major, vehicle mechanic
    Car 5cwt 4 X 4 2
    Batman, driver IC

    15cwt truck FFW 1
    Command Post Officer, 2 X command post officer’s assistant, 2 X driver operator
    Carries Wireless set
    Carries Command Post Officers stores
    15cwt truck FFW 2
    Captain, 2 X driver operator, signaller, observation post assistant
    Carries Wireless set
    15cwt truck GS 1
    Assistant Command Post Officer, command post officer’s assistant, clerk, driver IC
    Carries Assistant Command Post Officers Stores

    Either Light Tank Observation Post (Armoured Division only)
    Major, 2 X driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 2 X Wireless set
    Or Carrier Armoured Observation Post (Infantry Division only)
    Major, 2 X driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 3 X Wireless set

    Administration

    15cwt truck water
    water dutyman, driver IC

    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 1
    5 X ammunition number, driver IC
    Carried 184 rounds of ammunition
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 2
    3 X batman, driver IC
    Carried 184 rounds of ammunition
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 3
    vehicle mechanic, sanitary dutyman, 2 X lmg numbers, driver IC.
    Carries 112 rounds of ammunition plus camouflage stores.
    Carries 2 X Bren guns and a PIAT
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 4
    vehicle mechanic, driver IC
    Carries petrol
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 5
    battery quartermaster serjeant, clerk, storeman, driver IC
    Carries quartermaster stores.
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 6
    storeman (technical), equipment repairer, driver IC
    Carries MT stores
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 7
    corporal cook, 5 X cooks, driver IC
    Carries cooking sets and rations

    2 X travelling platform

    Troop
    Each battery has two troops

    Motorcycle 1
    signaller

    Car 5cwt 4 X 4
    Battery Serjeant Major, Artificer RA or gun fitter


    15cwt truck GS 1


    5 X signaller, 2 X lmg numbers, batman, driver IC
    [/list]

    Carries 2 X Bren lmg and a PIAT
    [/list] 15cwt truck GS 2


    4 X signaller, vehicle mechanic, observation post assistant, driver IC
    [/list]


    [/list] 15cwt truck FFW 1


    Subaltern (gun position officer), gun position officer’s assistant, batman, 2 X driver operator
    [/list] Carries a Wireless set
    15cwt truck FFW 2


    Subaltern (troop leader), gun position officer’s assistant, batman, 2 X driver operator
    [/list] Carries a Wireless set

    Either Armoured Observation Post Carrier (Infantry Division only)
    Captain, 2 X driver operator, driver mechanic.
    Carries 2 X Wireless set
    Or Light Tank Observation Post (Armoured Division only)
    Captain (troop commander) 2 X driver operator, driver mechanic.
    Carries 3 X Wireless set


    Section1 Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    gun numbers 1 - 4, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows trailer with 32 rounds of ready ammunition
    Tows 25pdr gun
    Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    gun numbers 1 - 4, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows trailer with 32 rounds of ready ammunition
    Tows 25pdr gun
    Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    2 X gun number 5, 2 X gun number 6, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows 2 X trailer with 64 rounds of ready ammunition

    Section2 Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    gun numbers 1 - 4, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows trailer with 32 rounds of ready ammunition
    Tows 25pdr gun
    Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    gun numbers 1 - 4, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows trailer with 32 rounds of ready ammunition
    Tows 25pdr gun
    Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    2 X gun number 5, 2 X gun number 6, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows 2 X trailer with 64 rounds of ready ammunition

    The above organisation applied to

    3 Royal Horse Artillery 7 Armoured Division
    6 Field Regiment 3 AGRA
    7 Field Regiment 3 Division
    25 Field Regiment 8 AGRA attached to US 7 Armoured Division 10/44
    33 Field Regiment 3 Division
    55 Field Regiment Guards Armoured Division
    61 Field Regiment 59 Division
    69 Field Regiment 49 Division
    70 Field Regiment 52 Division
    74 Field Regiment 50 Division to 49 Division
    76 Field Regiment 3 Division
    79 Field Regiment 52 Division
    80 Field Regiment 52 Division
    81 Field Regiment 53 Division
    83 Field Regiment 53 Division
    86 Field Regiment 50 Division to 5 AGRA then Guards Armoured
    90 Field Regiment 50 Division to 7 AGRA
    91 Field Regiment 5 Division
    92 Field Regiment 5 Division
    94 Field Regiment 43 Division
    98 Field Regiment 5 Division to 2 Army then 1 Canadian Armoured Brigade
    110 Field Regiment 59 Division to 2 Army
    112 Field Regiment 43 Division
    115 Field Regiment 59 Division
    116 Field Regiment 59 Division to 2 Army
    124 Field Regiment 50 Division
    126 Field Regiment 51 Division
    127 Field Regiment 51 Division
    128 Field Regiment 51 Division
    131 Field Regiment 15 Division
    133 Field Regiment 53 Division
    143 Field Regiment 49 Division
    147 Field Regiment 2 Army
    150 Field Regiment 4 AGRA
    151 Field Regiment 11 Armoured Division
    156 Field Regiment 5 Division
    174 Field Regiment 2 Army
    179 Field Regiment 43 Division
    181 Field Regiment 15 Division
    185 Field Regiment 49 Division
    186 Field Regiment 52 Division
    190 Field Regiment 15 Division


    Notes:
    Batteries were usually lettered P, Q and R. This came about because on reorganisation in the late 1930s letters below those applied to Royal Horse Artillery batteries.

    Each battery contained two defence teams with Bren guns which could be mounted for Anti Aircraft defence or ground defence. Each team also had a PIAT anti tank weapon. Regimental Headquarters had two such teams.

    All personnel were armed.

    • Officers and RSM carried pistols
    • Warrant Officers, drivers, motorcyclists and Bren gun Number 2 carried Sten guns
    • Everyone else carried a rifle.

    In action batteries were positioned 1000 to 2000 yards apart. Troops were positioned 200 to 400 yards apart. This was close enough to allow easy communication and ammunition supply while being sufficiently dispersed to give protection from counter battery fire.

    Ammunition supply was ensured by having the following.

    • each tractor carried 24 rounds plus 8 anti tank rounds for use in emergency
    • each limber, two per gun, carried 32 round of ready use ammunition. One limber parked alongside the gun and was the primary source of ammunition.
    • when empty the limber was replaced by the spare and towed away for refilling.
    • the ammunition lorries carried a total of 480 rounds which were used to replenish the limbers. At this point the ammunition was removed from boxes and placed in ready use trays. Each tray held two shells and two charges.
    • When empty the ammunition lorry was replenished by a lorry from the ammunition platoon RASC. This operated under divisional headquarters but was permanently assigned to ammunition supply.

    It was a principle of ammunition supply that it should be automatically replaced as it was expended. It did not have to be indented for and unit transport did not have to go back for it.



    Organisation for Manoeuvre and Deployment.
    The following is from the Military Training Pamphlet.

    For tactical purposes the regiment formed a number of groups which could move separately. This organisation might be changed to suit circumstances but it was considered important that there should be standard drills at all levels.
     
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  3. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    The Regimental Headquarters Party
    This contained those vehicles and personnel essential to the tactical planning of the unit. If the regiment was under the orders of a brigade then the Commanding Officer (CO) would take this group forward to the Brigade Headquarters to receive his orders. He would then select a site for the regimental tactical headquarters close to Brigade Headquarters. The Commanding Officer would then establish Observation Posts and the other officers in the group would disperse to implement their part of the plan.

    • The Second in Command (2ic) was responsible for the gun area and for the day to day running of the regiment. He would go to supervise the establishing of the gun positions.
    • The Signal Officer would make his signal plan and then establish communications between command posts and batteries and to the observation posts. At first these would be by wireless but as soon as possible telephone lines were laid.
    • The Survey Officer would carry out his survey and establish a zero line.


    Z 4 seater car 4 X 4
    Commanding Officer, subaltern, driver IC
    S2 15cwt truck 4 X 4 Royal Signals
    Driver operator, operator
    Carries 2 X Wireless set no19.
    MC1 Motorcycle
    commanding officers orderly.

    S1 5cwt car 4 X 4 Royal Signals
    Signal Officer, batman driver
    * Motorcycle Royal Signals
    Despatch rider
    Z2 4 seater car 4 X 4
    Second in Command, operator Royal Signals, driver IC
    Carries Wireless set No22
    MC2 motorcycle
    second in commands orderly
    SUR1 5cwt car 4 X 4
    Survey Officer, battery surveyor.

    Note:

    • Orderlies were gunners attached to senior officers as messengers. Despatch riders were Royal Signals.
    • Drivers IC were gunners trained to drive Internal Combustion engines. It was necessary originally to distinguish these from the large numbers of horse drivers that existed pre war.
    • Batmen were officers servants. Senior officers had their own batman who might be a batman driver trained to drive small vehicles such as jeeps and staff cars. Junior officers shared batmen.
    • Battery surveyors were gunners trained to use the survey equipment within the regiment. They were so called to distinguish them from surveyor which was the basic rank for private soldiers in the Royal Artillery Survey Regiments and from other specialist surveyors.

    The Adjutants Party
    The Adjutant was the regimental staff officer and was responsible for the Regimental Headquarters. He would be selecting a site for the regimental command post while the Commanding Officer was at Brigade Headquarters. It was a matter of policy that the command post be in the forward area.

    A1 15cwt truck
    Adjutant, serjeant clerk, duty serjeant, 2 X lmg numbers, vehicle mechanic,
    driver IC
    Carried 2 X Bren gun and a PIAT for local defence.
    MC3 Motorcycle
    adjutants orderly
    S3 15cwt truck 4 X 4 Royal Signals
    corporal operator, 2 X operator, driver mechanic
    Carried Wireless sets No 19 and No 19 HP
    * Motorcycle Royal Signals
    signal serjeant
    * Motorcycle Royal Signals
    despatch rider
    The Survey Party.
    This would be called up by the Survey Officer when he had received his orders at Brigade Headquarters. A survey would be carried out before the guns arrived as it was important to know the precise location of the observation posts and gun positions to allow indirect fire to be put down.

    MC4 Motorcycle
    survey serjeant
    MC5 Motorcycle
    battery surveyor
    SUR2 5 cwt car 4 X 4
    2 X battery surveyor
    SUR3 5cwt car 4 X 4
    2 X battery surveyor
    SUR4 15cwt truck
    2 X battery surveyor
    Carries survey stores.

    The Regimental Headquarters group
    This was responsible for the administration of the regiment. It would normally be kept to the rear.
    A2 15cwt truck Office
    Regimental Serjeant Major, 2 X clerks, driver IC
    A3 5cwt car 4 X 4
    Medical Officer, batman driver
    A4 15cwt truck
    medical officers orderly, sanitary dutyman, driver IC
    Carries medical stores.
    S7 15cwt truck wireless house Royal Signals
    2 X operators, driver operator
    Carries Wireless set No22
    S4 5cwt car 4 X 4 Royal Signals
    corporal linesman, 2 X linesman, driver IC
    Tows 10cwt trailer
    S5 3ton lorry 4 X 4 Signal Office Royal Signals
    2 X corporal operators, 4 X operators, 2 X linesman, driver IC
    S6 3ton lorry 4 X 4 Royal Signals
    corporal electrician, instrument mechanic, operator, cook ACC, driver mechanic
    S8 5cwt car 4 X 4 Royal Signals
    3 X lineman
    S9 5cwt car Royal Signals
    despatch rider


    • * Motorcycle Royal Signals

    despatch rider

    The B Echelon
    This provided supply and maintenance for regimental headquarters units. Batteries have their own B echelon vehicles and personnel but these, or a portion of them, might be placed under the command of regimental headquarters.
    Q1 5cwt car 4 X 4
    Quartermaster, batman driver
    Q2 15cwt truck water
    Water dutyman, driver IC
    Q3 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    cook, 5 X batman, butchery dutyman, 2 X lmg numbers, driver IC
    Carries cooking sets, and rations
    Carries 2 X bren guns and a PIAT for local defence.
    Q4 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant, storeman, clerk, 2 X cook, driver IC
    Carries Quartermaster stores.
    Q5 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS


    2 X vehicle mechanics, serjeant storeman, storeman, artificer RA, serjeant armourer REME, driver IC
    [/list] Carries MT stores and petrol

    The establishment also lists two 20mm gun platforms but these were not used in NW Europe.
     
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  4. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    The Batteries.
    Each of the three batteries was identical and organised as follows.

    The Battery Commanders party.
    This was intended to be the tactical headquarters for the battery. Having received his orders the Battery Commander would normally establish his observation post near to the headquarters of the battalion being supported. The Command Post Officer would then go to the gun position area and lay out the command posts and gun positions.

    X1 Armoured Observation Post Carrier
    Major, 2 X driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries Wireless set No19 and Wireless set No38
    X2 5cwt car 4 X 4
    observation post assistant, batman, driver
    MC1 Motorcycle
    battery commanders orderly

    H 15cwt truck FFW
    Command Post Officer, 2 X command post officers assistant, 2 X driver operator
    Carries Wireless set No19
    M1 15cwt truck GS
    4 X signaller, driver IC
    MC2 Motorcycle
    command post officers assistant
    MC3 Motorcycle
    command post officers orderly

    The Observation Party
    When the battery commander had received his orders and made his plan he would call forward the Observation Party and supervise the establishment of observation posts, and communications between them and the gun positions. When the battery was in a static position the troop officer was termed Observation Post Officer, when in a more mobile situation he was termed Forward Observation Officer. In either case he could control the fire of more than just his own troop. He could routinely control the fire of the battery and regiment. If given the authority he could order an Uncle target which would employ all guns in the division, plus any gun within range.

    RA Armoured Observation Post Carrier
    Captain (A troop commander) 2 X driver operator, driver mechanic.
    Carried Wireless set No19 and Wireless set no38.
    MC4 Motorcycle
    Signaller
    RB Armoured Observation Post Carrier
    Captain (B troop commander) 2 X driver operator, driver mechanic.
    Carried Wireless set No19 and Wireless set no38.
    MC5 Motorcycle
    signaller

    The G Party.
    This was called up by the Command Post Officer and was responsible for reconnoitring the gun position and establishing command and communications. Gun Position Officers were responsible for the actual gun position for the troop.

    GA 15cwt truck FFW


    Gun Position Officer (A troop), subaltern, gun position officers assistant, batman, 2 X driver operator.
    [/list]

    Carries Wireless set No19
    [/list]

    JA 5cwt car 4 X 4
    [/list]

    troop battery serjeant major, artificer RA
    [/list]

    M2 15cwt truck
    [/list]

    4 X signaller, observation post assistant, driver IC
    [/list] GB 15cwt truck FFW


    Gun Position Officer (B troop), subaltern, gun position officers assistant, batman, 2 X driver operator.
    [/list]

    Carries Wireless set No19
    [/list]

    JB 5cwt car 4 X 4
    [/list]

    troop battery serjeant major, artificer RA
    [/list]

    M2 15cwt truck
    [/list]

    4 X signaller, observation post assistant, driver IC

    [/list]

    The Battery Headquarters Party
    [/list] This was the administrative headquarters and provided logistic support to the battery. The Battery captain commanded this party and established a track plan for vehicles in the battery area, chose the wagon line area where vehicles would be parked and then arranged local area defence

    Y 15cwt truck FFW
    Subaltern, gun position officers assistant, clerk, driver IC
    MC6 Motorcycle
    signaller serjeant
    K1 15cwt truck FFW
    Captain, 2 X driver operator
    Carries wireless set No19
    MC7 Motorcycle
    captains orderly
    K2 15cwt truck GS
    4 X signaller, 2 X lmg numbers, driver IC
    Carries 2 X bren gun and a PIAT for local defence.

    The Gun Group
    This group centred around the guns and their tractors. The guns were not sent for until everything was ready. The guns should be capable of opening fire immediately on arrival. Guns were positioned and the tractors withdrawn to the wagon lines.

    A troop
    TLA 15cwt truck FFW
    Subaltern (A troop leader), gun position officers assistant, 2 X driver operator.
    Carries Wireless set No19
    M4 15cwt truck GS
    5 X signaller, 2 X lmg numbers, batman, driver IC
    Carries 2 X Bren gun and a PIAT for local defence.

    Section1 A Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    Gun numbers 1 - 4, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows trailer No27 with 32 rounds of ready ammunition
    Tows 25pdr gun
    B Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    Gun numbers 1 - 4, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows trailer No27 with 32 rounds of ready ammunition
    Tows 25pdr gun
    AB Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    Gun numbers 5 and 6, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows 2 X trailer No27 with 64 rounds of ready ammunition

    Section2 C Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    Gun numbers 1 - 4, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows trailer No27 with 32 rounds of ready ammunition
    Tows 25pdr gun
    D Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    Gun numbers 1 - 4, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows trailer No27 with 32 rounds of ready ammunition
    Tows 25pdr gun
    CD Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    Gun numbers 5 and 6, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows 2 X trailer No27 with 64 rounds of ready ammunition


    B troop
    TLB 15cwt truck FFW
    Subaltern (B troop leader), gun position officers assistant, 2 X driver operator.
    Carries Wireless set No19
    M5 15cwt truck GS
    5 X signaller, 2 X lmg numbers, batman, driver IC
    Carries 2 X Bren gun and a PIAT for local defence.

    Section1 E Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    Gun numbers 1 - 4, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows trailer No27 with 32 rounds of ready ammunition
    Tows 25pdr gun
    F Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    Gun numbers 1 - 4, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows trailer No27 with 32 rounds of ready ammunition
    Tows 25pdr gun
    EF Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    Gun numbers 5 and 6, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows 2 X trailer No27 with 64 rounds of ready ammunition

    Section2 G Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    Gun numbers 1 - 4, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows trailer No27 with 32 rounds of ready ammunition
    Tows 25pdr gun
    H Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    Gun numbers 1 - 4, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows trailer No27 with 32 rounds of ready ammunition
    Tows 25pdr gun
    GH Tractor 4 X 4 Field Artillery
    Gun numbers 5 and 6, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 24 rounds of ammunition plus 8 rounds anti tank
    Tows 2 X trailer No27 with 64 rounds of ready ammunition

    J 5cwt car 4 X 4
    Battery serjeant major, vehicle mechanic.

    The Ammunition Group
    This normally travelled with the guns and carried a first reserve of ammunition to replenish the limbers. They were parked in the wagon lines and tractors towed full limbers up to the gun positions and returned with empty ones. In practice ammunition was often dumped at the gun position, especially if prolonged fire was expected.

    Amn1 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    5 X ammunition number, driver IC
    Carried 184 rounds of ammunition
    Amn2 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    5 X ammunition number, driver IC
    Carried 184 rounds of ammunition
    Amn3 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    vehicle mechanic, sanitary dutyman, 2 X lmg numbers, driver IC.
    Carries 112 rounds of ammunition plus camouflage stores.
    Carries 2 X Bren guns and a PIAT for local defence.

    Note:
    If necessary a battery could form extra observation teams from gun position personnel.


    The B echelon
    This was responsible for administration and supply in the battery. It was normally kept under the control of regimental headquarters and vehicles sent forward as required.

    Q1 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    battery quartermaster serjeant, clerk, storeman, driver IC
    Carries quartermaster stores.
    Q2 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    storeman (technical), equipment repairer, electrician Royal Signals, driver IC
    Carries MT stores and charging set.
    Q3 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    vehicle mechanic, driver IC
    Q4 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    corporal cook, 5 X cooks, driver IC
    Carries cooking sets and rations
    Q5 15cwt truck water
    water dutyman, driver IC
     
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  5. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    The Light Aid Detachment REME
    This was normally to be found with the regimental B echelon.

    LAD1 Car 4 seater 4 X 2
    WO Class I armament artificer, serjeant vehicle mechanic
    LAD2 Motorcycle
    storeman
    LAD3 3ton lorry 4 X 4 stores
    storeman, fitter, driver mechanic
    Carries MT stores
    This lorry was usually an Albion fitted with bins and wire mesh security screens
    LAD 4 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    electrician, welder, fitter, driver mechanic
    Carries tools and personal baggage.
    LAD5 3ton lorry 6 X 4 breakdown
    fitter, driver mechanic


    This was usually an Austin K6 but there were earlier 6 X 4 still in use. Some units had CMP 4 X 4 wreckers


    [/list] A note on the RAF Meteorological section.
    This section provided meteorological information which was required by field artillery in order to correct the range and bearing when firing. Wind strength and direction obviously affected the flight of shells and these winds varied at different altitudes. Air temperature and barometric pressure also affected the flight of the shells and could also affect the performance of the propellant. The RAF section received information from higher formations but was also equipped to take local readings. Barometric pressure, temperature and wind direction and strength at ground level required only basic instruments. Wind direction and strength at different altitudes was measured by releasing balloons and tracking them with theodolites. This was done at higher formations such as AGRA or Survey Regiment. Later in the campaign balloons could be tracked by redundant anti aircraft radars.

    Information was sent out regularly by telegram to batteries. In NW Europe there were not the dramatic changes of climate found in some theatres but data was updated regularly, every four hours if it was thought necessary. The information was not sent as raw data but in a user friendly form which could be used in conjunction with tables to work out deviations in range and bearing for the guns.

    - pressure was given in clear thus 3060 = 30.60 inches
    - temperature and pressure were sent as data relating to the time of flight and were sent in two groups thus
    1535 2130 = time of flight 15 seconds, mean temperature 35 degrees, wind speed 21 feet per second, wind direction 230 degrees. This information was sufficient to form a basis for using tables. Thus if the time of flight was not 15 seconds the tables gave the adjustments.

    The RAF Meteorological section vehicle and driver were supplied by the Field Regiment.

    RAF personnel in NW Europe should have worn army khaki battledress with RAF badges. They usually kept their own headwear. In practice many RAF personnel wore RAF battledress.


    MARKINGS
    The Royal Artillery had a very comprehensive system of tactical signs which were virtually unchanged throughout the war. The list of vehicles under Organisation for Manoeuvre gives the letter and numbers generally assigned to each vehicle. These numbers and letters were shown in white on the vehicles tactical sign. These signs were squares, generally half the size of the Arm of Service sign and generally displayed above the top right hand corner of the Arm of Service Sign. Some were displayed elsewhere on the vehicles front and rear.


    • Regimental headquarters used a square divided red over blue as for the Arm of Service sign
    • P Battery had a blue square with the top right hand quarter in red.
    • Q Battery had a blue square with the bottom right hand corner in red
    • R Battery had a blue square with the bottom left hand corner in red.

    The letters and numbers could be placed in various styles but were consistent throughout a regiment

    • some units placed then centrally
    • some units placed them only in the blue portion
    • some units placed them with the number underneath the letter
    • at least one unit placed them only on the red part.

    The combination of battery square with letters and numbers ensured that every vehicle in the regiment could be identified.

    The Arm of Service sign was carried by all vehicles, usually on the offside. They were red over blue for artillery.
    The senior field regiment in an infantry division carried number 42 in white
    The second field regiment in an infantry division carried number 43 in white
    The third field regiment in an infantry division carried number 44 in white.
    Commander Royal Artillery and his staff carried number 40 in white.

    The attached Royal Signals usually carried blue and white signals Arm of Service square with the number of the artillery regiment in red. A Royal Artillery tactical sign was usually carried by signals vehicles and these were red over blue with letters/numbers S1 to S9. Some units had a blue and white tactical sign with the letters/numbers in red.

    The attached REME LAD usually carried a REME blue/yellow/red Arm of Service square with the artillery regiments number in white. A red over blue artillery tactical sign with the numbers/letters LAD1 etc. was usually carried but some had the tactical sign in REME colours.
     
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  6. Sheldrake

    Sheldrake All over the place....

    This is a little misleading

    1. The batteries were not lettered P Q or R. Batteries had unique field battery numbers. The terms P, Q and R were used in training manuals to refer to the senior, second and junior batteries, which might be: e.g. 9,16 and 17/43 (7 field) or 101, 109 and 113/114 (33 field) or G, K and CC (5 RHA)

    2. The choice of the letters P Q & R for examples in training batteries cannot have been out of a desire to avoid reference to serving batteries. P Battery RHA and Q (Sanna's Post) Battery and R Battery RA all existed during WW2.

    Troops within a Regiment were always(?) lettered A to F for field regiments, and A-K for Anti tank or Light AA Regiments which had nine rather than six troops
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2022
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  7. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Was 'Q' actually the designation of 'Q (Sanna's Post) Battery' rather than a number? This seems familiar to me in an anti-tank context but I can't place it.
     
  8. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Excellent information vP but not always the case in the Field.
    How many men do you need to fire a 25pdr effectively ?

    One photo taken at Bou Ficha Artillery Range in Tunisia shows only three crew including No1 at the rear.
    Most unusual I thought four was minimum.
    Layer, Loader, Rammer, No1. No1 must have been loading as well.
    This was 266 Bty 67th Field Regt Tunisia October/ November 1943.
    The ammunition is laid out on the ground with the cartridges in boxes, the guns are firing.
    From the Shepherd Family collection.

    The second photo was probably taken either in the Bosco Anzio but more likely during their advance to the Gothic line somewhere near Florence.
    The shells & cartridges are visible neatly stacked to the left of the photo.
    266 Bty C Troop Sgt Allen. From the Allen Family collection.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: May 29, 2022
  9. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Regarding P, Q & R Batteries.
    I cannot lay my hands on any specific date that this designation appeared but it was certainly used post war in the 267 Field Regt and possibly after their re-designation in 1947.

    Try: Home - The Royal Artillery 1939-45
     

    Attached Files:

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  10. Derek Barton

    Derek Barton Senior Member

    Chris, Q Battery has a rather convoluted history. It was in 2 Brigade RHA but transferred to 21 Field Brigade RFA and was converted to 148 (Howitzer) Battery in May 1920. In March 1924 it was re-formed as Q Battery RFA from 108 (Howitzer) Battery still in 21 Brigade RFA. In October 1938 the Brigade was converted to Anti-Tank as 21 Anti-Tank Regiment RA including Q Battery. There was an order in December 1942 to number Q, Y & Z Batteries as 108, 109 & 110 Batteries but it was cancelled 19 days later.
    In November 1946, Q, Y & Z Batteries were transferred to 4 RHA. This was a paper move only as RHQ 21 A/Tk became RHQ 4 RHA. It's all a bit confusing but this is the Battery that carried the Honour Title of Sanna's Post.
    Derek
     
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  11. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Hi Derek,

    Thanks for that. Just to add a bit more to the history. I must have run across the name when looking backward from 10th A/tk Reg't.

    100_8924.JPG
     
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  12. Derek Barton

    Derek Barton Senior Member

    Thanks Chris, Frederick mentions this but it is good to have the official reference.
    Derek
     
  13. Sheldrake

    Sheldrake All over the place....

    Q Battery also did great deeds in Normandy in Op Bluecoat where they recovered the situation after a German SS Battlegroup with Panther tanks got amongst the gun positions of 143 Leicestershire Yeomanry at Maisoncelles in early August 1944.
     
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