Could anyone explain the meaning of the paragraphs starting 954 on DSCO7318.jpg attached below referring to the 1503 Artillery Platoon RASC. These have been taken from WO204-12510 RASC Order of Battle Husky 1503 Arty Pl consisting of: Composite Pl (less B,C & D secs) III/120/2 I am interested in what these sections are referring to, there is nothing in this or similar RASC diaries to explain these. What is a composite platoon? I presume the column headed W/E is War Establishment perhaps? What exactly is this and does it exist anywhere such as at Kew? Then finally, R.D.I III/121/2. What is R.D.I? Never seen that before. Presumably 57 A Fd is 57th Field Regiment Royal Artillery? Tpt Pl. Transport Platoon? Can anyone give any hints as to the best way to start looking for documents at Kew covering Baytown, Avalance etc Any help would be appreciated
As the pages are being downloaded I'll include the remainder. Read in order of jpg file names. Will post remainder later
Hutt III/120/2: Composite Platoon, R.A.S.C. This platoon, which generally forms part of a mechanical transport company, comprises personnel for ammunition, petrol or supply duties. One or more sections will be allocated to companies allotted for the carriage of these three commodities. The number of sections required will be dependent upon the size of the unit or formation to be served. Each section is designed to provide the necessary personnel for accounting and issuing of petrol and supplies, and the keeping of ammunition records. Loaders will be provided from relief driver increments within the company. The approximate capacity of each section of this platoon is: “ A “ section – Supply, petrol and ammunition services for an independent unit of the nature and size of an A.A. regiment, R.A. “ B “ section – Increases capacity of “ A “ section to meet requirements of a force of approximately 2,000 or of the nature of a tank battalion. “ C “ section – Increases the capacity of “ A “ and “ B “ sections to meet requirements of a force of approximately 3,000. “ D “ section – Brings the capacity of the platoon up to the requirements of an infantry brigade group or its equivalent. Aixman
III/121/2: A Relief Driver Increment, R.A.S.C. III/117/2: Transport Platoon, R.A.S.C. You will find the WEs. in the Trux section. If you find version 3 (you ask for version 2): There are only minor changes. Aixman
Hutt Thanks for posting by the way. Very intersting information. Just to explain: The Roman number (III, VI, ...) refers to the war establishments' volume. III: Corps, army or G.H.Q troops (non divisional troops) IV: Lines of communication troops VI: Middle East IX: overseas and colonies XII: Mediterranean (including Italy) Aixman
Hutt Not able to add anything useful but thank you for posting - always looking for information on Husky and RASC. Brian
Remainder of diary posted below Many thanks, particularly to Aixman. for the replies which I can now attempt to digest! Brian. Always happy to share info if it seems to fit in with other posts! Graham
I know I'm reviving an old post but hoping someone might be able to help me understand the husky force entry on my grandfather's record, which I've attached the record. I've only started the research this week when his records came in so I'm a novice at this.
OK, Husky was the code name for the allied invasion of Italy in July 1943 and your Grandfathers unit is clearly listed in the RASC Order of Battle. What you could probably do with is getting hold of his actual unit diary and there appears to be good coverage for them at Kew. I would start with WO169/11306 which would appear to cover 13BSD for 1943 plus there are others going back to 1941. Look for Drew for a realistically priced copying service if you cant get to the National Archives in person. You may also be interested in the entry just to the right of the Husky note. My father was also in B Coy 1 holding Battalion from November 45 to Demob in Feb 46. FYI it was at Oulton Park near Tarporley in Cheshire. Did the records from the MOD include details of his discharge and how he returned to the UK?
SOS MEF 29 August 1943 suggests he moved on from Sicily is there anything after this in his records. My dad was with the RASC in Sicily until March 1944 when he returned to the UK prior to going to Normandy. Brian
I have these records that follow on from 1943 to his return home. I'm still trying to understand them so please bear with me. Thanks for the input so far.
[Part quote name="Brian Smith" post="703281" timestamp="1458763421"] SOS MEF 29 August 1943 suggests he moved on from Sicily is there anything after this in his records. Brian[/quote] Brian, If you look to the top of the next column on the form you will see a TOS BNAF entry on or about the same date as SOS MEF entry IMHO he didn't leave Sicily. It is just the clerical "catch up" recognising his move from North Africa strength to Sicily invasion force in July 1943. Regards Steve Y
Is it not the other way round SOS MEF to BNAF, suggesting as some troops did a return to NA after sicily. Brian
Brian, I've seen similar entries on other files - it is more often the "clerical confusion" of use of MEF, CMF, BNAF, AAI nomenclature rather than movement of individuals - although the "truth" will be in the WD. Regards Steve Y
