General Return on the Strength of the British Army

Discussion in 'Research Material' started by davidbfpo, Jan 19, 2022.

  1. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Has anyone come across this Return?

    The (UK) TNA has one example on my first search in 1921 and on ww2f.com a post that they ended in 1947, with a change during WW2.

    My interest is May 1945, plus whether the RAF used a similar form / report.

    I have not searched too much as a very long day, with 7hrs with the NHS darlings.
     
  2. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    A little time online found the term was General Return of the Strength and it was a quarterly publication based on war diaries alongside other sources. Very few mentions though.

    None of the Returns appear to be online and no sign they were used by the RAF.
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2022
  3. ltdan

    ltdan Nietenzähler

    Do you mean something like
    "TNA WO 73/165 Strength of the British Army and of other forces in British Commands for the quarter ended on 30 September 1945" ?

    WO 73/163 goes until September 1944, therefore WO 73/164 should cover the range you are looking for....if they are the right documents
    However, I am also familiar with these documents only from footnotes, for example:
    https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/files/2931337/313385.pdf page 8

    regards
    Olli
     
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  4. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Olli,

    Thanks, I have yet to use TNA documents unless found online.
    WO 73/164 covers 1945 Jan - Apr and WO 73/165 1945 Sept - Oct. An odd gap, perhaps VE-Day suspended their assembly?

    Their official title is: Office of the commander in chief and War Office: distribution of the army monthly returns.

    The TNA description:
    From: Office of the Commander in Chief and War Office: Distribution of the Army Monthly Returns | The National Archives

    The RAF equivalent may be: 'Monthly statements and programme for R.A.F. Squadrons', which cover 1945 Mar.- 1947 May. Monthly statements and programme for R.A.F. Squadrons | The National Archives
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2022

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