Lower Establishment Infantry Divisions: Home Forces, late-1941

Discussion in 'Higher Formations' started by Pember, Jul 28, 2014.

  1. Pember

    Pember Junior Member

    I would be most grateful if anyone can shed light on the placing of a number of UK-based Infantry Divisions on a Lower Establishment, between Nov 1941 and Jan 1942.

    I would be interested to know why this happened and what the consequences were for the units concerned.

    Was it simply due to shortages in equipment, or was it to provide reinforcements for overseas formations? Did this mean a change in their operational role, e.g. that they themselves could not be sent overseas? etc.

    Any insights appreciated!
     
  2. CL1

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

  3. Gary Kennedy

    Gary Kennedy Member

    From what little digging I did on them, the LE Inf Divs had reductions in their Div HQ staff and Div Sigs; RE lost the Field Park Coy and had just a Stores Section; Inf wise there was no MG Bn and the Recce component was an Indep Coy only; RASC had I think (without looking) a single Coy and I think I've seen mention of an ATS increment. It's not entirely clear skimming through Orders of Battle, but it looks like most, if not all, LE Divs lost their third Field Coy, RE, and Field Regt, RA, as well.

    Most went on to become Training or Reserve Divs later on, and that's largely the role they fulfilled in 1941-43. Any of them could have been put on a full establishment (as demonstrated by 15th (Scottish) Div), and given a full complement of supporting arms and services to become a deployable formation.

    Gary
     
  4. Joe Brown

    Joe Brown WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    If I remember correctly and I was only a Lance-Corporal at the time, the 8th Royal Scots in 15th Scottish Division were regarded in 1940, possibly 1942, as 'lower establishment' as we were required to provide volunteers to reinforce other more front line units. We were raised as a TA Battalion in the Spring of 1939, and our equipment at the outbreak of the War was virtually non- existent. The arrival of our first Bren Carrier was a matter for great rejoicing!

    The 7th/9th Royal Scots were a long-established TA unit in the 52nd (Scottish) Division and were part of the BEF but hardly deployed before they were ordered back to the UK 'for the final defence of the Realm'.


    Joe Brown.
     
  5. Aixman

    Aixman War Establishment addict Patron

    Gary

    Most if not all of your explanation is fully supported by
    H.F. Joslen, Orders of Battle, page 127:
    "In 1941 a Lower Establishment Infantry Division was formed for service in the United Kingdom only. The important differences between this type and the Field Force Infantry Division were:
    • Royal Artillery: only two Field Regiments and no Light Anti-aircraft Regiment
    • Royal Engineers: two Field Companies and Field Store Section
    • Infantry: Reconnaissance Company instead of Reconnaissance Battalion
    • Supply & Transport: Divisional Composite Company R.A.S.C. only, consisting of:
    • Headquarters Mechanical Transport Company
      four Transport Platoons
    • one Composite Platoon
    • three Relief Driver Increments
    • one Workshop Platoon."

    Regards
    Aixman
     
  6. Gary Kennedy

    Gary Kennedy Member

    You would have thought I'd remember that, given how many times I looked at my copy of that book!

    Gary
     
  7. Pember

    Pember Junior Member

    Thank you Joe, Aixman, Gary & Clive!
     

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