Field Battery - Self Propelled

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  1. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    FIELD BATTERY, SELF PROPELLED.
    War Establishment II/189/1. August 1943.

    There were a number of Field Regiments RA which had batteries equipped with self propelled guns for the D Day landings. Field Regiments of 3rd and 50th Divisions, which were assault divisions, had one or more towed batteries equipped with Priest 105mm self propelled guns. This was because, in order to keep the landing beaches clear, only tracked vehicles were allowed to land in the first hours of D Day. Also towed artillery would have been very vulnerable on the beaches. The self propelled guns remained in service until a lull in the fighting allowed them to be replaced by towed 25pdr guns.

    The organisation varied from that of a self propelled regiment with Sexton 25pdrs in many small ways but the main differences were

    • the gun was the US built 105mm Priest
    • the Priest carried only 69 rounds of ammunition and thus required more 3ton 4 X 4 ammunition lorries.
    • the regiment did not use trailers and thus required more 3ton lorries in the B echelon
    • the Priest carried a gun crew of five and thus there was no ammunition number on the ammunition halftrack.

    Personnel
    Major
    3 X Captain
    6 X Subaltern

    3 X Battery Serjeant Majors
    battery quartermaster serjeant
    signalling serjeant
    8 X serjeant No1 of guns
    20 X bombardiers
    108 X gunner

    corporal electrician REME
    officer’s mess cook ACC
    corporal cook ACC
    4 X cook ACC
    Total 210

    Tradesmen
    Artificer RA or gun fitter
    2 X clerk
    23 X driver mechanic
    18 X driver operator
    equipment repairer
    4 X vehicle mechanics
    technical storeman

    Non tradesman
    5 X ammunition number
    10 X batman
    4 X command post officer’s assistants
    24 X driver IC
    40 X gun number
    4 X gun position officer’s assistants
    8 X lmg number
    3 X motorcycle orderlies
    observation post assistant
    sanitary dutyman
    24 X signaller
    storeman
    water dutyman

    Transport
    13 X motorcycle
    1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
    1 X 15cwt truck GS
    2 X 15cwt truck personnel
    3 X 15cwt truck fitted for wireless
    1 X 15cwt truck water
    6 X 15cwt halftracked
    12 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS
    6 X armoured observation post
    4 X tank observation post
    1 X carrier starting and charging
    8 X self propelled 105mm
    2 X travelling platform for 20mm gun


    Organisation
    Command
    Motorcycle 1
    Battery Serjeant Major
    Motorcycle 2
    signalling serjeant
    Motorcycle 3
    orderly
    Motorcycle 4
    orderly
    Motorcycle 5
    orderly
    Motorcycle 6
    command post officers assistant

    Car 5cwt 4 X 4
    batman, driver IC
    Battery Commanders car

    15cwt truck GS
    2 X lmg numbers, clerk, command post officer’s assistant, driver IC
    Carries a Bren lmg and a PIAT

    15cwt truck FFW
    Captain, signaller, 2 X driver operator
    Carries Wireless set

    Armoured Observation Post 1
    Major, observation post assistant, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 2 X Wireless set
    Armoured Observation Post 2
    Subaltern (Command Post Officer), command post officer’s assistant,
    driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries a Wireless set
    Carries Command Post Officers stores
    Armoured Observation Post 3

    Subaltern (Assistant Command Post Officer), command post officer’s assistant,

    driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries Command Post Officer’s Stores
    Armoured Observation Post 4
    2 X signaller, driver mechanic, driver IC

    Carrier, tracked, starting and charging
    corporal electrician REME, driver mechanic, driver IC

    The war establishment table states that the Carrier tracked and starting towed two travelling platforms for 20mm guns.

    Administration

    Motorcycle 7
    vehicle mechanic

    15cwt truck water
    water dutyman, driver IC

    15cwt halftracked 1
    ammunition number, driver mechanic
    Carries 44 rounds of ammunition
    15cwt halftracked 2
    ammunition number, driver mechanic
    Carries 44 rounds of ammunition

    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 1
    ammunition number, gun number, driver IC
    Carries 94 rounds of ammunition
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 2
    ammunition number, gun number, driver IC
    Carries 94 rounds of ammunition
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 3
    ammunition number, 2 X gun number, driver IC
    Carries 93 rounds of ammunition and camouflage stores
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 4
    2 X gun numbers, driver IC
    Carries 93 rounds of ammunition and camouflage stores
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 5
    gun number, driver IC
    Carries 93 rounds of ammunition
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 6
    gun number, driver IC
    Carries 93 rounds of ammunition
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 7
    gun fitter, 4 X signaller, 2 X batman, driver IC
    Carries petrol
    Carries a Bren lmg
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 8
    2 X lmg numbers, 3 X signaller, batman, driver IC
    Carries fuel for SP mountings
    Carries a Bren lmg
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 9
    2 X lmg numbers, 4 X signallers, vehicle mechanic, driver IC
    Carries fuel for SP mountings
    Carries a Bren lmg
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS10


    battery quartermaster serjeant, clerk, storeman, 2 X batman, sanitary dutyman,
    [/list]

    driver IC
    [/list]

    Carries Q stores
    [/list]

    Carries a Bren lmg
    [/list]

    3 ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 11
    [/list]

    technical storeman, equipment repairer, 4 X batman, driver IC
    [/list]

    Carries MT stores
    [/list]

    Carries a Bren lmg
    [/list]

    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 12
    [/list]

    2 X lmg numbers, corporal cook, 5 X cook, driver IC
    [/list]

    Carries cooking sets and rations
    [/list]

    Carries a Bren lmg and a PIAT

    [/list] Troop X 2
    Motorcycle 1
    Battery Serjeant Major
    Motorcycle 2
    signaller
    Motorcycle 3
    vehicle mechanic

    15cwt truck personnel
    2 X signaller, driver IC.
    15cwt truck FFW


    Subaltern, gun position officer’s assistant, driver operator, driver IC
    [/list]

    Carries a wireless set
    [/list]

    Carries a PIAT

    [/list] Armoured Observation Post
    2 X signaller, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries signalling stores

    Tank Observation Post 1
    Captain, observation post assistant, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 3 X wireless set
    Tank Observation Post 2
    Subaltern (Gun Position Officer), gun position officer’s assistant, driver operator,
    driver mechanic
    Carries 3 X wireless set

    Section 1
    15cwt truck halftrack
    driver mechanic
    Carries 44 rounds of ammunition
    Self Propelled 105mm Gun 1
    serjeant, gun numbers 2 to 5, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 60 rounds of ammunition plus 12 rounds HEAT
    Carries a wireless set
    Self Propelled 105mm Gun 2
    serjeant, gun numbers 2 to 5, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 60 rounds of ammunition plus 12 rounds HEAT
    Carries a wireless set

    Section 2
    15cwt truck halftrack
    driver mechanic
    Carries 44 rounds of ammunition
    Self Propelled 105mm Gun 1
    serjeant, gun numbers 2 to 5, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 60 rounds of ammunition plus 12 rounds HEAT
    Carries a wireless set
    Self Propelled 105mm Gun 2
    serjeant, gun numbers 2 to 5, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 60 rounds of ammunition plus 12 rounds HEAT
    Carries a wireless set

    Note: The following armoured observation posts will not be fitted with wireless
    Armoured Observation Post 3 at battery headquarters
    Armoured Observation Post 4 at battery headquarters
    Armoured Observation Post 1 at each troop headquarters
     
  2. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Battery Commanders Party

    X1 15cwt truck, halftrack, FFW
    Major, observation post assistant, 2 X driver operator
    Carries Wireless set No 19 and Wireless set No 19HP
    X2 5cwt car 4 X 4
    command post assistant, batman, driver IC
    MC1 Motorcycle
    battery commanders orderly

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

    The Observation Party
    The officers could function as Observation Post officer when static, or more likely in this type of unit they could function as Forward Observation officers, moving with the headquarters of the armoured unit being supported.

    RA Tank Observation Post
    Captain (A troop commander) observation post assistant, driver operator,
    driver mechanic
    Carried Wireless set No19 and Wireless set no38.
    MC4 Motorcycle
    signaller
    RB Tank Observation Post
    Captain (B troop commander), observation post assistant, 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 Tank Observation Post
    Gun Position Officer (A troop), Subaltern, gun position officer’s assistant, driver
    operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 2 X Wireless set No 19 and Wireless set No38
    JA 5cwt car 4 X 4
    troop battery serjeant major, driver IC
    M2 15cwt truck, halftrack, FFW
    4 X signaller, vehicle mechanic, batman, driver IC
    GB Tank Observation Post
    Gun Position Officer (B troop), Subaltern, gun position officer’s assistant, driver
    operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 2 X Wireless set No 19 and Wireless set No38
    JB 5cwt car 4 X 4
    troop battery serjeant major, driver IC
    M2 15cwt truck, halftrack, FFW
    4 X signaller, vehicle mechanic, batman, driver IC

    Battery Headquarters Party
    This was the administrative headquarters and provided logistic support to the battery.
    Y 15cwt truck, halftrack, FFW
    Subaltern, command post officer’s assistant, batman, driver IC
    MC6 Motorcycle
    signaller serjeant
    K1 15cwt truck, halftrack, FFW
    Captain, 2 X driver operator
    Carries Wireless set No19
    MC7 Motorcycle
    captain’s orderly
    K2 15cwt truck GS
    command post officer’s assistant, clerk, 2 X lmg numbers, driver IC
    Carries 2 X Bren lmg
    M4 15cwt truck, halftrack, FFW
    4 X signaller, driver IC
     
  3. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    The Gun Group
    A Troop
    TLA 15cwt truck, halftrack, FFW
    Subaltern (A troop leader), gun position officers assistant, batman,
    2 X driver operator
    Carries a Wireless set No 19
    M5 15cwt truck, halftrack, FFW
    5 X signaller, artificer RA, driver IC

    Section A A Self Propelled gun mount Priest 105mm
    gun numbers 1 to 5, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 69 rounds of ammunition
    Carries a Wireless set No19
    B Self Propelled gun mount Priest 105mm
    gun numbers 1 to 5, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 69 rounds of ammunition
    Carries a Wireless set No19
    AB 15cwt truck, halftrack
    driver mechanic
    Carries 44 rounds
    Section A C Self Propelled gun mount Priest 105mm
    gun numbers 1 to 5, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 69 rounds of ammunition
    Carries a Wireless set No19
    D Self Propelled gun mount Priest 105mm
    gun numbers 1 to 5, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 69 rounds of ammunition
    Carries a Wireless set No19
    CD 15cwt truck, halftrack
    driver mechanic
    Carries 44 rounds

    B Troop
    TLB 15cwt truck, halftrack, FFW
    Subaltern (B troop leader), gun position officers assistant, batman,
    2 X driver operator
    Carries a Wireless set No 19
    M5 15cwt truck, halftrack, FFW
    5 X signaller, artificer RA, driver IC

    Section A A Self Propelled gun mount Priest 105mm
    gun numbers 1 to 5, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 69 rounds of ammunition
    Carries a Wireless set No19
    B Self Propelled gun mount Priest 105mm
    gun numbers 1 to 5, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 69 rounds of ammunition
    Carries a Wireless set No19
    AB 15cwt truck, halftrack
    driver mechanic
    Carries 44 rounds
    Section A C Self Propelled gun mount Priest 105mm
    gun numbers 1 to 5, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 69 rounds of ammunition
    Carries a Wireless set No19
    D Self Propelled gun mount Priest 105mm
    gun numbers 1 to 5, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 69 rounds of ammunition
    Carries a Wireless set No19
    CD 15cwt truck, halftrack
    driver mechanic
    Carries 44 rounds

    MC8 Motorcycle
    Battery Serjeant Major

    Carrier, Tracked, Starting and Charging
    corporal electrician REME, vehicle mechanic, driver mechanic, driver IC

    Ammunition Group
    This normally travelled with the guns and carried a first reserve of ammunition.

    Amn1 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    3 X ammunition number, driver IC
    Carried 152 rounds of ammunition
    Amn2 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    3 X ammunition number, driver IC
    Carried 152 rounds of ammunition
    Amn3 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    2 X ammunition number, driver IC
    Carried 152 rounds of ammunition
    Amn4 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    2 X ammunition number, driver IC
    Carried 152 rounds of ammunition
    Amn5 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    2 X ammunition number, driver IC
    Carried 152 rounds of ammunition

    B Echelon
    This was responsible for administration and supply in the squadron. It was normally kept under regimental control and vehicles sent forward as required.
    Q1 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    battery quartermaster serjeant, clerk, storeman, sanitary dutyman, driver IC
    Carries quartermaster stores
    Q2 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    storeman (technical), equipment repairer, 3 X batman, driver IC
    Carries MT stores
    Q3 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    vehicle mechanic, batman, driver IC
    Carries petrol
    Q4 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    2 X lmg numbers, batman, driver IC
    Carries petrol
    Carries 2 X Bren lmg and a PIAT
    Q5 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    2 X lmg number, driver IC
    Carries petrol
    Carries 2 X Bren lmg and a PIAT
    Q6 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    corporal cook, 5 X cook, driver IC
    Carries cooking sets and rations
    Q7 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
    2 X lmg number, driver IC
    Carries 2 X Bren lmg and a PIAT

    Q8 15cwt water truck
    waterdutyman, driver IC

    MC9 Motorcycle
    vehicle mechanic
     
  4. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    FIELD REGIMENT SP 25pdr RAM.
    War Establishment II/190A/2. May 1944

    Total personnel
    Lieutenant Colonel, Officer Commanding
    Major, Second in Command
    3 X Major, Battery Commanders
    Captain, Adjutant
    Captain, Technical Officer
    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
    271 X gunners
    Total 620

    Plus attached
    Medical Officer RAMC
    armourer serjeant REME
    3 X corporal electrician REME
    4 X officers mess cooks ACC
    3 X corporal cook ACC
    14 X cook ACC
    Total 646

    Tradesmen
    6 X Artificer RA or gun fitter
    8 X battery surveyor
    serjeant clerk, RA clerks section
    9 X clerk
    15 X driver mechanic
    37 X driver mechanic AFV
    66 X driver operator
    3 X equipment repairer
    5 X technical storeman (including staff serjeant)
    17 X vehicle mechanics

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

    32 X motorcycle
    1 X car 4seater 4 X 4
    14 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
    6 X 15cwt truck GS
    1 X 15cwt truck office
    1 X 15cwt truck personnel
    4 X 15cwt truck water
    34 X 15cwt halftrack FFW
    12 X 15cwt half track with winch
    28 X lorry 3ton 4 X 4
    13 X tank observation post
    3 X carrier, tracked, starting and charging
    15 X 1ton 2 wheeled GS trailer
    24 X 25pdr SP mountings

    24 X Bren lmg
    13 X PIAT
    9 X signal pistol


    In March 1945 a new establishment was issued. This kept the same total number of personnel but with some reorganisation. Additional vehicles were also authorised. See below.

    There exists a photograph, a still from a newsreel, showing Sextons in Normandy being re ammunitioned from an AEC Matador Armoured Ammunition Carrier. The unit is not known but these were rare birds and no other such photo is known at this time.


    ORGANISATION
    Motorcycle 1
    survey serjeant
    Motorcycle 2
    battery surveyor
    Motorcycle 3
    orderly
    Motorcycle 4
    orderly
    Motorcycle 5
    orderly

    4 seater car 4 X 4
    Major or Technical Officer, Intelligence Officer, driver IC

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

    15cwt truck GS 1
    2X battery surveyor
    Carries survey stores
    15cwt truck GS 2
    medical officers orderly, sanitary dutyman, driver IC
    Carries medical stores.
    15cwt truck GS 3
    duty serjeant, 2 X lmg numbers, driver IC
    Carries 2 X Bren lmg

    15cwt truck Office
    Regimental Serjeant Major, 2 X clerks, batman, driver IC
    Carries office equipment

    15cwt truck personnel
    Adjutant, serjeant clerk, batman, 2 X lmg numbers, driver IC
    Carries a Bren lmg and a PIAT

    15cwt truck water
    water dutyman, driver IC

    15cwt truck halftracked FFW
    Technical Officer or Major Second in Command, driver IC

    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 1
    cook, 4 X batman, driver IC
    Carries cooking sets, and rations
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 2
    2 X cook, butchery dutyman, driver IC
    Carries cooking sets and rations
    Tows a trailer
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 3
    Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant, storeman, vehicle mechanic, driver IC
    Carries Quartermaster stores.
    Tows a trailer
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 4


    staff serjeant technical storeman, technical storeman, serjeant armourer REME, driver IC
    [/list] Tows a trailer

    Tank Observation Post
    Lieutenant Colonel, observation post assistant, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 3 X Wireless set

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

    Command
    Motorcycle 1
    Battery Serjeant Major
    Motorcycle 2
    signalling serjeant
    Motorcycle 3
    orderly
    Motorcycle 4
    orderly
    Motorcycle 5
    orderly
    Motorcycle 6
    command post officers assistant

    Car 5cwt 4 X 4
    command post officers assistant, batman, driver IC
    Battery Commanders car

    15cwt truck GS
    2 X lmg numbers, clerk, command post officer’s assistant, driver IC
    Carries a Bren lmg and a PIAT

    15cwt truck halftrack FFW 1
    Captain, 2 X driver operator
    Carries Wireless set
    15cwt truck halftrack FFW 2
    Major, observation post assistant, 2 X driver operator
    Carries 2 X Wireless set
    15cwt truck halftrack FFW 3
    Subaltern (Command Post Officer), command post officer’s assistant,
    2 X driver operator
    Carries a Wireless set
    Carries Command Post Officers stores
    15cwt truck halftrack FFW 4

    Subaltern (Assistant Command Post Officer), command post officer’s assistant,

    driver IC
    Carries Command Post Officer’s Stores
    15cwt truck halftrack FFW 5
    4 X signaller, driver IC

    Carrier, tracked, starting and charging
    corporal electrician REME, vehicle mechanic, driver mechanic, driver IC


    Administration

    Motorcycle 7
    vehicle mechanic

    15cwt truck water
    water dutyman, driver IC

    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 1
    3 X ammunition number, driver IC
    Carried 152 rounds of ammunition
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 2
    3 X ammunition number, gun number, driver IC
    Carried 152 rounds of ammunition
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 3
    vehicle mechanic, batman, driver IC
    Carried petrol
    Tows a trailer
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 4
    2 X lmg number, batman, driver IC
    Carried petrol
    Carries 2 X lmg
    Tows a trailer
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 5
    2 X lmg number, driver IC
    Carried petrol
    Carries 2 X lmg
    Tows a trailer
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 6
    battery quartermaster serjeant, clerk, storeman, sanitary dutyman, driver IC
    Carried Q stores
    Tows a trailer
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 7
    technical storeman, equipment repairer, 3 X batman, driver IC
    Carried MT stores
    3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 8
    2 X lmg numbers, corporal cook, 5 X cook, driver IC
    Carries cooking set and rations
    Carries 2 X Bren lmg and a PIAT

    Troop
    Each battery has two troops

    Motorcycle 1
    signaller

    Car 5cwt 4 X 4
    Battery Serjeant Major, driver IC

    15cwt truck halftrack FFW 1
    5 X signaller, artificer or gun fitter, driver IC.
    15cwt truck halftrack FFW 2


    Subaltern, gun position officer’s assistant, 2 X driver operator
    [/list]

    Carries a wireless set
    [/list]

    Carries a PIAT
    [/list] 15cwt truck halftrack FFW 3
    4 X signaller, vehicle mechanic, batman, driver IC
    Carries signalling stores

    Tank Observation Post 1
    Captain, observation post assistant, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 3 X wireless set
    Tank Observation Post 2
    Subaltern (Gun Position Officer), gun position officer’s assistant, driver operator,
    driver mechanic
    Carries 3 X wireless set

    Section 1
    15cwt truck halftrack fitted with winch
    ammunition number, driver mechanic
    Carries 64 rounds of ammunition
    Self Propelled 25pdr gun 1
    serjeant, gun numbers 2 to 4, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 102 rounds of ammunition
    Carries a wireless set
    Self Propelled 25pdr gun 2
    serjeant, gun numbers 2 to 4, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 102 rounds of ammunition
    Carries a wireless set

    Section 2
    15cwt truck halftrack fitted with winch
    ammunition number, driver mechanic
    Carries 64 rounds of ammunition
    Self Propelled 25pdr gun 1
    serjeant, gun numbers 2 to 4, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 102 rounds of ammunition
    Carries a wireless set
    Self Propelled 25pdr gun 2
    serjeant, gun numbers 2 to 4, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 102 rounds of ammunition
    Carries a wireless set



    FIELD REGIMENT SP 25pdr RAM.
    War Establishment XIV/540/1. March 1945.

    Total personnel
    Lieutenant Colonel, Officer Commanding
    Major, Second in Command
    3 X Major, Battery Commanders
    Captain, Adjutant
    Captain, Technical Officer
    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
    47 X bombardier
    33 X lance bombardier
    188 X gunners

    Plus attached
    Medical Officer RAMC
    armourer serjeant REME
    3 X corporal electrician REME
    4 X officers mess cooks ACC
    3 X corporal cook ACC
    14 X cook ACC
    Total 646

    Tradesmen
    6 X Artificer RA or gun fitter
    8 X battery surveyor
    serjeant clerk, RA clerks section
    9 X clerk
    32 X driver mechanic
    40 X driver mechanic AFV
    54 X driver operator
    3 X equipment repairer
    5 X technical storeman (including staff serjeant)
    34 X technical assistant
    17 X vehicle mechanics

    Non tradesmen
    24 X ammunition numbers
    36 X batman
    2 X batman driver
    butchery dutyman
    72 X driver IC
    24 X gun number
    28 X lmg numbers
    medical officers orderly
    12 X motor cycle orderly
    4 X sanitary dutyman
    72 X signaller
    4 X storeman
    4 X water dutyman

    44 X motorcycle
    1 X car 4seater 4 X 4
    9 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
    10 X 15cwt 4 X 4 truck GS
    1 X 15cwt 4 X 4 truck office
    9 X 15cwt 4 X 4 truck FFW
    4 X 15cwt 4 x 4 truck water
    3 X 15cwt halftrack FFW
    9 X 15cwt half track with winch
    28 X lorry 3ton 4 X 4
    1 X scout car
    16 X armoured observation post
    10 X tank observation post
    6 X GPO vehicle, tracked
    3 X carrier, tracked, starting and charging
    15 X 1ton 2 wheeled GS trailer
    24 X 25pdr SP mountings

    24 X Bren lmg
    13 X PIAT
    9 X signal pistol

    This establishment table does not give details of the organisation. It was much as for the previous establishment with the following notable exceptions.
    - Gun Position Officers now had a GPO vehicle, Tracked, which was a Sexton without a gun.
    - There were 16 Armoured Observation Post Carriers. These did not carry wireless as standard but were provided to carry the increasing amount of equipment required by Observation Posts, and to provide a vehicle for the Forward Observation Officer to use in establishing a forward position, linked to the Observation Post Tank by line or manpack wireless. The AOP Carriers were allotted as follows

    • One at Regimental Headquarters
    • Three at each battery headquarters (one with wireless)
    • One for each troop
    - 15cwt Halftracks with winch were reduced to two per troop instead of one per section.
    - Many 15cwt Halftrack FFW were replaced by 15cwt 4 X 4 FFW.


    The following shows only the armoured vehicles
    Regimental Headquarters
    Armoured Observation Post, Carrier
    driver mechanic
    Tank Observation Post
    Lieutenant Colonel, observation post assistant, driver mechanic, driver IC
    Carries 3 X Wireless set

    Troop
    Armoured Observation Post
    driver mechanic
    Tank Observation Post 1
    Captain, observation post assistant, driver operator, driver mechanic
    Carries 3 X wireless set
    Gun Position Officers Vehicle, Tracked
    Subaltern (Gun Position Officer), gun position officer’s assistant, driver operator,
    driver mechanic
    Carries 3 X wireless set
    Section 1
    Self Propelled 25pdr gun 1
    serjeant, gun number, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver operator,
    driver mechanic
    Carries 102 rounds of ammunition
    Carries a wireless set
    Self Propelled 25pdr gun 2
    serjeant, gun number, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver operator,
    driver mechanic
    Carries 102 rounds of ammunition
    Carries a wireless set
    Section 2
    Self Propelled 25pdr gun 1
    serjeant, gun number, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver operator,
    driver mechanic
    Carries 102 rounds of ammunition
    Carries a wireless set
    Self Propelled 25pdr gun 2
    serjeant, gun number, gunner operator, gunner mechanic, driver operator,
    driver mechanic
    Carries 102 rounds of ammunition
    Carries a wireless set
     
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