Help with War Diary Abbreviations

Discussion in 'Unit History' started by Owen, Aug 4, 2006.

  1. RosyRedd

    RosyRedd Senior Member

    Hi Andreas.

    Ord w/s coy is ordnance workshop company

    Fd Coy is Field Company

    I think A.Tps is Armoured Troops Company Royal Engineers

    Regards.

    Jules.
     
  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  3. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    Brilliant, many thanks!

    What did the EFI do then? The other ones are self-explanatory, I think.

    All the best

    Andreas
     
  4. Oldman

    Oldman Very Senior Member

    A Tps Coy Re Could be Army Troops Company Royal Engineers
    FSD Forward Supply Depot (Dump)
     
  5. chrisgrove

    chrisgrove Senior Member

    EFI is NAAFI in uniform (i.e overseas)
    S&M - Sappers and Miners ? as in Madras Sappers and Miners
    FPO is correct
    FAD - Forward Ammunition Depot or Dump?

    Chris
     
  6. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    Many thanks again to all.

    Chris, I believe that you are correct about the Sappers.

    All the best

    Andreas
     
  7. Wills

    Wills Very Senior Member

    EFI - Expeditionary Forces Institute (NAAFI)

    IIBT -IBT is usually India -India Burma Theatre. Also CIBT - China - India Burma Theatre or- BIBT - Burma -India Burma Theatre.

    A Tps is Army Troops.
     
  8. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    Many thanks Wills!

    I have another one:

    L.R.S. - related to tank repair.

    Many thanks to all again.

    All the best

    Andreas
     
  9. Wills

    Wills Very Senior Member

    LRS - I imagine a REME or ex Tankie lad will confirm. in my time it was Local Repair Shop/Service.
     
  10. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    Many thanks again!

    All the best

    Andreas
     
  11. jamesmurrow

    jamesmurrow Senior Member

    Can you guys out there tell me what the abbreviation T.E.W.T. stands for, as used in war diaries with reference to tactical training excercise, another I have come across is P.A.D. (is it Pre Air Defence Scheme?).
    Regards
    James
     
  12. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Hi James

    Tactical Exercise Without Troops
     
  13. Noel Burgess

    Noel Burgess Senior Member

    PAD - I think this usually refers to Passive Air Defnce i.e. camouflage of camps store dumps etc from observation from the air
    Noel
     
  14. op-ack

    op-ack Senior Member

    PAD - I think this usually refers to Passive Air Defnce i.e. camouflage of camps store dumps etc from observation from the air
    Noel

    Quite correct Noel, also covered such things as digging slit trenches.

    Regarding TEWTs, the two unofficial ones that always make me smile are NEWD (Night Exercise Without Darkness) and JEWT (Jungle Exercise Without Trees.

    Phil:D
     
  15. kiwi craig

    kiwi craig Member

    Here is a transcript of the PAD for the 57th Field Regiment RA when they arrived in France April 1940.

    P.A.D SCHEME
    S E C R E T
    57th Field Regiment R.A
    Copy No...22
    GENERAL
    1. The object of the Scheme is to provide:-
    (a) Protection of all personal of the Regiment against H.E bombs, gas bombs or gas spray and low flying machine gun attacks
    (b) An organization for the collection of casualties and their treatment
    2. The area only consists of the billeting area of MERVILLE
    3. The Scheme is divided into four parts and Appendix “A”
    Part I – Arrangements being made now
    Part II - Action to be taken on receipt of Air Raid Warning RED
    Part III - Action during Raid
    Part IV – Action taken on receipt of Air Raid Massage GREEN
    Major RA
    2nd in Command, 57th Field Regiment R.A.


    Distribution
    Copy No.
    C.O 1
    C.O.2 2
    Adjt 3
    Orderly Offr 4
    Sigs 5
    L.A.D 6
    M.O 7
    Q.M 8
    225 Bty 9-13
    226 Bty 14-18
    R.S.M 19
    File 20
    Handing Over 21
    War Dairy 22 and 23

    PART 1
    Arrangements to be made now
    (a) Gas cleansing centre
    A combined Gas Clearing Centre and Gas Defence Centre will be established in an empty house which has been earmarked for the purpose ans which will be situated in the Rue Warnbergnc (about 150 yds north af the church).
    It is designed to compete solely with unwounded personnal. Personnel required for establishing it are shaon in Appendix “A”
    Communication with Regimental and Battery Offices will be by Orderlies. Each Battery will detail 2 D.R’s and two dismounted Orderlies for this.
    (b) First Aid Centre
    This will be established in the present M.I. Room in the Rue Pont des Pierres. Uncontaminated wounded will entr by the back entrance on the SOUTH side
    Personal required are shown in Appendix “A”
    (c) Protection For Personnel
    (i) O’s C. Batteries and RHQ are responsible that there is sufficient splinter proof protection for their men in the vicinity of each billet. Where suitable cellars do not exist trenches will be dug.
    (ii) A.A.L.M.G’s will be sited as follows;-
    One by 225 Bty on the open ground opposite thr Ammo Dump
    One by 226 Bty near the Gun Park Rue des Prairies
    One by R.H.Q. on the vehicle park west of R.H.Q. billets

    Two gunners will be detailed for duty with each gun.
    R.C’s and Orderly Officer will reconnoiter suitable sites, mark them and advise all AALMG personnel detailed for the scheme where the selected positions are sited.
    (d) Protection of Food
    All food must be kept under cover in the Cookhouse. Detectors Gas Spray and ARTHUR papers will be placed outside each cookhouse. When the air raid warning is sounded, or any detector paper reaction is noticed, all door and windows will be closed. Any food suspected of being contaminated will be burnt and the fact reported to an Officer who will, if necessary, arrange for the preserved ration to be drawn fron the Battery Stores.
    (e) Fire Precautions
    Petrol tin Fire buckets, containing water or sand will be placed outside all billets.
    Civilian Fire Engines are to be kept at MAIRIE.
    Billet Fire Orders must be issued forthwith and Troop Commanders are responsible for there own areas. They will report to the Bty Hq any outbreak of fire with witch they are unable to deal.
    (f) Rescue Work
    Each Battery will detail a rescue party as shown in Appendix “A” and each party will be equipped with:-
    4 picks and shovels
    2 Axes
    1 Crow bar
    1 handspike
    2 dragropes

    PART 1 (CONT)
    (g) Gas Reece Parties
    Each Battery will detail its own Gas Reece Party consisting of an Officer, 1 N.C.O. and 2 O.R’s
    (h) Warning Signals
    Air Raid Warning RED - A Series of short blasts on the whistle.
    Air raid passed - Air Raid Message GREEN> Two long blasts on the whistle, repeated at an interval of five seconds
    (j) Duties and Training
    All personnel required for the Schemes will be detailed now. Casualties will be replaced when they occur. Personnel will be trained in Anti-Gas decontamination, first aid and Stretcher Bearer duties.
    (k) Light Restrictions
    A complete black-out will be rigidly maintained
    (l) Buildings
    (i) The senior occupant of officers messes and billets is responsible for organizing the P.A.D. measures in there respective buildings under the direction of the Unit P.A.D. Officers.
    (ii) In every room which is occupied by officers and men for whatever purpose, notices will be posted directing occupants to their Air Raid Shelters and any other action deemed necessary, i.e. position of nearest Fire Point ect.

    Note: A Fire Point is a place where fire fighting appliances, sand, water, shovels ect are kept.

    PART II
    Action to be taken on receipt of an Air Raid Warning RED

    By Day
    1. All personal will be marched to their billets and put on steel helmets, respirators at th alert, gas capes and gloves. Eye shields will not be warn, but should active air operations commence the wearing of eye shields by personal in the open will be rigidly enforced. Normal work will then continue as long as possible until A.A. fire is opened or bombs drop in the vicinity, at which time the senior officer or N.C.O. present will decide when to move to the Air Raid Shelters.
    2. Parties detailed in Appendix “A” for essential P.A.D. Services will move to their move to their allocated positions as soon as it it is apparent that the Air Raid may affect their unit or the immediate neighborhood. Gas Cleansing & Rekife Staff will take with them their special clothing.
    3. Traffic.
    Day (a) Vehicles will continue on their way during an Air Raid Alert unless directly attacked If attacked traffic will halt, if possible under cover. During active operations or moves of formations, M.T Columns will continue on their route, even if the attacked by day or night.
    (b) Vehicles carrying petrol or ammunition will be evacuated from densely populated areas (except those required for operational purposes).
    Night (c) After dark during the period of warning all vehicles should halt at the side of the road with lights extinguished. Occupants of vehicles on urgent military will be permitted to drive on, but will proceed with side lights only.
    (c) The normal procedures at level crossings will be continued through the period of alam until an actual enemy attack, then the gates will be closed.
    4 Buildings. Where shutters are fitted to windows the sutters should be closed and the winow opened as soon as A.A. fire or bombs are heard. This will minimize the danger of flying glass. If gas is used the windows should remain closed.
    5 By Night similar action will be taken, personal remaining in billets until ordered to Air Raid Shelters or P.A.D duty posts by the senior officer or N.C.O present.

    PART III
    Action during a raid

    1. Troop Officers and W.O’s will act as Air Raid Wardens in Area to be detailed by O’s C Dactarias. They are responsible for:-
    (a) Maintenance of moral and prevention of panic.
    (b) Directing and if necessary assisting wounded and contaminated to the appropriate centre.
    (c) Instructing the Gas Clearing Centre or First Aid post of the location of any wounded personal who need to be collected on streachers.
    (d) Informing the Gas Clearing Centre of the location of any building tht has collapsed and any trapped personal.
    (e) Informing Battery Officers of the location of any fires which cannot be delt with locally, stating the number of men required to form a bucket chain
    2. The Gas Reece Parties will reece for gas in their area and if necessary sound the gas warning on the siren.
    3. Action in the case of a night raid will be the same as day.

    PART IV
    Action to be taken on receipt of Air Raid Message GREEN
    1. (a) If no bombs were dropped the “ALL CLEAR” should be given as soon as possible.
    (b) If bombs were dropped aor gas used the local P.A.D. Officer will carry out a rapid reconnaissance and will not order the sounding of the “ALL CLEAR” signal until he has taken such steps as are necessary to ensure the personal will not be endangered on emerging from shelters by gas or falling debris from buildings which have been damaged.
    2. (a) P.A.D. Officers will take immediate step to have any damaged services repaired, dangerous areas roped off and contaminated areas marked with signs warning GAS until decontamination is carried out.
    (b) P.A.D. Officers will report the location of unexploded bombs to I.O.O., HQ. 3 Cops,
    3. Any decontamination of vehicles and billets that may be necessary will be carried out under orders of the B.C concerned. The Gas Clearing Centre Staff will be used for this purpose.
    4. No personnel will leave their trenches qr shelters until ordered to do so by an officer. This order will not be given until the Gas Reece Parties have made a reece of the of the area and any necessary decontamination completed
    5. Immediate steps must be taken to replace P.A.D. stores and equipment used in the next raid.
    PART IV
    Action to be taken on receipt of Air Raid Message GREEN
    1. (a) If no bombs were dropped the “ALL CLEAR” should be given as soon as possible.
    (b) If bombs were dropped aor gas used the local P.A.D. Officer will carry out a rapid reconnaissance and will not order the sounding of the “ALL CLEAR” signal until he has taken such steps as are necessary to ensure the personal will not be endangered on emerging from shelters by gas or falling debris from buildings which have been damaged.
    2. (a) P.A.D. Officers will take immediate step to have any damaged services repaired, dangerous areas roped off and contaminated areas marked with signs warning GAS until decontamination is carried out.
    (b) P.A.D. Officers will report the location of unexploded bombs to I.O.O., HQ. 3 Cops,
    3. Any decontamination of vehicles and billets that may be necessary will be carried out under orders of the B.C concerned. The Gas Clearing Centre Staff will be used for this purpose.
    4. No personnel will leave their trenches qr shelters until ordered to do so by an officer. This order will not be given until the Gas Reece Parties have made a reece of the of the area and any necessary decontamination completed
    5. Immediate steps must be taken to replace P.A.D. stores and equipment used in the next raid.
     
  16. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    In 1943 Wingate held a succession of TEWTS in the Chindit training camp of Saugor, India. These included the use of huge sand table exercises, where men were represented by matchsticks and Indian bearers had built up the landscape to represent the terrain the troops would encounter in Burma proper.

    Most of the attending officers were astounded by scale of these enormous practice areas and of course thought Wingate was totally mad.
     
  17. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Do not forget TEWI - Tactical Exercise Without Interest.

    FdeP
     
  18. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Do not forget TEWI - Tactical Exercise Without Interest.

    FdeP

    I hope that was not a comment on my preceeding post Minden?

    Mind you I do crowbar Chindit info into every post on here, so I couldn't blame you!!!:lol:

    Cheers

    Steve
     
  19. Wills

    Wills Very Senior Member

    TEWTS, These are not often used as tactical training at higher formation levels , They are to test and train chain of command appointments. The exercise commander will have communication to commanders of guns, signals, armour,transport.medical etc - the full orbat. He will plan, give out orders and using communications get the command teams working without being out in the field. The ex can be paused and suggestions made. A post ex wash up will show up any weak areas.

    Sand table models something that all commanders from section up will be acquainted with. from a prepared model showing the features that are on a map or photo. To an area on the ground using twigs, grass, string etc to mark out an area so that soldiers moving into an area are aware of what the ground will look like, a commander can show where he wants an attack to go in where his fire support will be and where he will reform after going through the objective. There are of course many scenarios.
     
  20. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Steve.

    Absolutely not. It was something we used to cry when attending TEWTs that were dull and uninspiring.

    FdeP
     

Share This Page