Responsibilities of RASC and RAOC

Discussion in 'RASC' started by timuk, May 24, 2018.

  1. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    Due to conflicting reports I have become confused as to the responsibilities of the RASC and RAOC regarding re-supply of ammunition to front line batteries. Some say the RASC was responsible for rations, clothing and fuel but not ammunition, some say they were responsible for ammunition as well. Was it the case that the RAOC were responsible for the Base Ordnance Depot and then turned over delivery to the front line to the RASC? Was the ammunition delivered direct to the Battery or to a forward Depot where it was collected by the Battery themselves?

    Tim
     
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  2. CL1

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

  3. hutt

    hutt Member

    Lots of references in their war diaries for my fathers RASC unit of ammunition being requested (by the regiment, mainly 70th Medium) and delivered direct to battery lines during periods of intense artilley activity in Italy although I suspect that was not the normal process.
     
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  4. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    Thanks everyone. I had seen the reference to Trux's RASC page before albeit on another site, I believe it has been extracted from a Military Training Pamphlet. I now think my confusion stemmed from reading elsewhere that the RASC were responsible for the supply of food, water, fuel etc (but not the supply of ammunition) and my interpretation of the word 'supply'. The RAOC were responsible for the supply (as in provision) of ammunition but supply (as in transporting it around and delivery) was the responsibility of the RASC. I note that Trux's RAOC site states under Advanced Ammunition Depot that the equivalent of 20 x 3 ton RASC lorries will be required.
    It would also seem that Batteries were usually responsible for collecting their ammunition from the Advanced Ammunition Depot by inference from "At times of heavy artillery ammunition expenditure divisional lorries could deliver direct to gun lines and dump ammunition on the ground", which assumes it was not the normal practice.

    Tim
     
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