Hi Can someone enlighten me to the origin of the term? As far as I can see the coys were named A, B, C, S, and HQ. I am looking at November 41. I know this has been interpreted as 'support' coy, but I am not certain about that. I know that by the time of Gazala 'S' Coy was the AT company of the battalion (of Snipe fame). But was that special role the case by the time of CRUSADER? Many thanks in advance! All the best Andreas
I am no expert but your questioned prompted me to check my sources. It seems the Support Coy contained the battalion heavy weapons such as mortars and AT Guns (and many carriers). The 3 ton lorries for logistical support seem to be in the Headquarters Coy. British Infantry Battalion 1939-45 Scroll down to the 1943-45 table. I have heard the term "support weapons" as a generic term for mortars and machine guns, but I have never questioned its origins. Also the term "supporting fire" used to aid the riflemen in the attack and defense. Artillery is often termed "preparation fire".
Hi, many thanks. They were a motor battalion, which is I think why there is a lack of clarity. http://www.bayonetstrength.150m.com/British/Motor/british_motor_battalion%201941%20to%201942.htm Note the reorg in early 42. Question is whether 2 RB still had 4 rifle coys, or had already switched to 3 rifle coys 1 support coy by November 41? All the best Andreas
Sorry to have confused your inquiry, I have come across the Rifle Brigade in the past but it didn't register when I read your post earlier. But happy to have had the opportunity to study the differences between the Rifle Bn and the Motor Bn. Thank you. Good luck with your quest.
Thanks! Very much appreciate the effort in trying to help. Sorry I wasn't clearer in the first instance.
From Hasting's The Rifle Brigade in in the Second World War 1939-1945: Early in February it was decided to equip one company of each battalion with anti-tank guns... the guns issued to the 1st, 2nd and 9th Battalions in February and March, 1942, were 2-pounders, carried portee on vehicles, and their range was clearly inadequate. The other change in organization was the reintroduction of the Vickers machine gun. At this time it was decided to give each company one platoon of four medium machine guns... The Regiment was armed with both these weapons until the end of the war, the 2-pounders soon being replaced by 6-pounders. There were many arguments about how they should be organized, let alone employed. Eventually they were generally centralized in the Support Company. 2 RB's change from 2-prs to 6-prs was supposed to be at the end on May 1942 but events got in the way of this. So, the story seems to be that 2 RB's S Coy was a normal Motor Coy until Feb/Mar 42 when it became their A/Tk Coy.
Good evening drew, the 2nd RB war diary says that the got their 2 pounder guns after Sidi Rezagh on the 2nd February 1942. They then got their 6 pounder guns immediately before Gazala early May 1942 when they took the Retma Box. S Company was commanded by Captain Tom Bird. As in Snipe the guns were sometimes spread between the other battalions, but Bird remained in overal command of them. Have a good evening. Phillip
