Looking at convoy WS10X which took my Dad (RAOC) to Egypt in Aug. 1941, its often said that it took 22nd AB to Suez, with no mention of other formations, 3 troopships were in the convoy carrying aprox. 10, 000 troops. My question is, did these 10, 000 troops constitute the full compliment of an Armoured Brigade?
It's far more. A regiment had about 550 men. So between three regiments that gives you 1,650. Add an HQ and Brigade elements, maybe another 1-2,000, given that the Brigade did not have an organic motor battalion or artillery. So the 10,000 would comprise further units. All the best Andreas
http://www.bayonetstrength.150m.com/British/Divisions/british_divisional_organisations.htm Some British divisional organisations on the above link maybe of some help,
Also in case you miss it, there are other links on the introduction page of the link in my previous post, and the ones below are well worth a look. www.warestablishments.net http://www.warestablishments.net/GBArmour.html Regards
Clanky - There is a great tendency to look on the establishments of various formations as being gospel - but this is not usually the case in wartime as much extra equipment - and even personnel are somehow "added " to the strength of some units - depending on needs etc... so a good rule of thumb therefore would be an Armoured - and Assault Bde would be around 2,500 personnel - and an Infantry Bde would be just a bit more at 2700 - 3000 personnel - and it could be guaranteed that when the Inspector was announced to visit - the EXTRAS would be hidden away in the next village - and a big fat lunch was organised to ensure a favourable report - we weren't called old sweats for nothing as a simple example while awaiting demob some of us were detailed - along with many young soldiers - to dig out a snowbound train at Kirkby Stephen - so we quickly and efficiently packed a pick up with extra clothing - extra food - vacuums of tea - little bottle of rum etc - drove the 30 miles - and guess what - we had somehow forgotten the shovels .....! The inspectors were also old sweats and very careful to announce the date and time of their visits... didn't pay to be stupid ! Cheers
Tom, Attached is a link to a photograph of a train stuck in the snow during 1946. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/01/08/article-1110038-02FD4BC7000005DC-263_468x380.jpg A lot of digging required! Regards Tom
