Hello, I am hoping that someone might be able to assist me with some research regarding the role of Forward Observers during World War 2 (in all their guises)! I recently left the British Army, having been a Forward Observation Officer and Battery Commander, and am in the early stages of writing a book chronicling the evolution of the role from its inception to modern day. So far, I have uncovered some material online and purchased a few books (such as Gunfire!: British Artillery in World War II and Battle Rattle: A Last Memoir of WW II), but it is not an extensive collection, and I would like to expand upon this if possible. I'm also keen to capture experiences from all nations in order to provide a balanced perspective. If anyone is able to suggest/provide any of the following I would be most grateful: Books describing the role. Personal accounts. War diaries. Research facilities (I am aware of the National Archives and Firepower Museum Archives). Citations/Gazettes for FOs. Accounts from Infantry, Armoured, etc, units about working with FOs. Thank you in advance, and please let me know if you require any further information. Jon
Welcome to the forum Jon. I describe a number of actions involving FOOs in my book Theirs the Strife, which covers the battles fought in April 45 to cross the Weser, Aller and Leine rivers. Sorry if this sounds like a plug for my book but there is no other way of saying it! Check out the website nigel.tripod.com as this is pretty comprehensive on the RA in WW2. I will have a think about other sources. I was in the infantry so don’t expect anything dramatic!
Hello Jon, I have the diary of Captain Geoffrey De Egglesfield Collin, M.C. who served as a FOO in the 1944 battles in Assam. Please see: 1944 Diary of Captain Collin Steve
A couple of websites that might help and you have the time to wander around them Royal Artillery Methods in World War 2 Home - The Royal Artillery 1939-45 TD
As a New Member you have probably not noticed the the red flag on your inbox. (You will need to sign in) I am fairly sure that I can help you if you can just respond to the pm (Conversation). Cheers,
Hi Jon, Sounds like a great and worthy cause. Are you carrying out any comparative element with the US, German or Russian experience and explain whether system one is better than system two? The Bibliography in Gunners in Normandy includes memoirs by many FOOs and BCs. I did try to put a snapshot of the role in chapters 4 and 23 of Gunners in Normandy. There are lots of extracts from FOOs and BCs dotted throughout the book.. BIdwell's Gunners and Firepower are good summaries of the evolution of field artillery and by extension the role. Jonathan Bailey's Artillery and field artillery is another academic work. Jonathan is a very knowledgeable chap and served as BC HQ Bty 4 Fd in the Falklands. His worth contacting and I am sure would be interested in your project. Pemberton's artillery equipment and tactics. (WO 1950) is a must read. The Badley Library should have a copy This is the in house review of artillery in WW2. I am working on a Battlefield guide to the artillery on the first day of the Somme. Artillery techniques were completely different and it took me a while to relate my 1980s experience and 1940s research. This is where the RA of 1939 started. Happy to recommend a reading list. The best source of untapped material might be in the Firepower archives. Somewhere there ought to be course precis for training FOOs. Obs of fire courses, BCs courses, All arms Tactics course notes. RA notes for WW2 are also very good. e.g. in Spring 1944 there were paragraphs drawing attention to the lack of training in forward area battle skills of gun end officers who were catapulted into the FOO role through casualties or the need to relieve FOOs. War diaries are less use than you might think. Look out for a PM.
Hello Jonathan, a bit off the wall compared to the fine recommendations above but should you have the opportunity seek out ""Rommel?" "Gunner Who?"" by Spike Milligan. A more poignant piece on the sacrifice of Forward Observation would be hard to find (I think). The loss led Spike to pen this poem. "Longstop Hill That April day Seems far away The day they decided to kill Lt Tony Goldsmith RA On the slopes of Longstop Hill At Toukebir The Dawn lights stir Who's blood today will spill? Today it's Tony Goldsmith's Seeping out of Longstop Hill. One can't complain Nor ease the pain Or find someone else to fill The place of Tony Goldsmith Lying dead at Longstop Hill In Germany There still could be A Joachiem, Fritz or Will Who did for Tony Goldsmith That day - on Longstop Hill" Casualty Details | CWGC Good luck with all your endeavours. Kind regards, always, Jim. P.S. Also, if you a looking for a different angle (no pun intended) a frequently overlooked role is that of the PBI mortar team "FOO" (oft not an officer). Always remember, never forget.
a various take here Forward & Air Observation Airborne Forward Observer, Operation Varsity Run-In Shoot by RA in Overlord Assault Artillery FOOs embedded with the Infantry on D-Day AOP (Air Observation Post) Squadron Casualties ww2talk forward observers site:ww2talk.com - Google Search
Thanks Jim, great stuff - MFCs are definitely part of the story and I will be interviewing a few that I worked with over the years.
Thank you very much Sheldrake - plenty of good suggestions here. I have contacted Firepower and am awaiting a response. I fear it may be slow given the current state of things and their own uncertainty!
A good and low cost recommendation would be the purchase of a used book entitled Ubique by A.M.Cheetham. (Careful there are other books of a similar name). Major Arthur Cheetham MC was in the 2nd Field Regiment RA part of the 1st Infantry Division. Fighting from Tunisia to Anzio and on to Monte Grande. He was awarded his MC on the Gothic Line at Monte Grande. He describes the events and reveals a few "technicalities" of the job of an Artillery Observer and the organisation of a field Regiment in WW2.