First, please let me apologise to those people who saw a very similar thread to this one last week, I posted it with an off topic title & am hoping to attract other replies with a more accurate one. I am currently researching my Grandfathers war service as a Wireless Sgt. in "F" Squdron GHQ Liaison Regt. My Grandfather early 1944 before his promotion to Sgt. In the image above I note the 21st Army Group shield on the left shoulder, would he have worn the "P" shoulder insignia on the right? Release papers identifying him as having served in "F" Squadron GHQ Liaison Regt. Also, on a similar note I run a 1943 Willys Jeep that I am planning on badging up as a GHQ Liaison Regt. reconnaissance vehicle. I have a Number 19 wireless set fitted as well as a few extras, but due to lack of photographic evidence I am still not sure exactly how these were badged up. I assume that they carried the white "P" on a black background front & rear, but am not sure if they would also have carried the 21st army group insignia too. Any help that anyone can give on this matter would be much appreciated. And finally, I apologise to anyone who has read my previous post asking for the same in info.
Welcome. I missed your previous post. I think an eye catching title helps. There is some information about Phantom on the truxmodels.co.uk website. This is hidden with RAC units, to which it officially belonged, rather than signals. I am not an expert but know a little about the organisation of Phantom in 21 Army Group. 'F' Squadron was not strictly a 21 Army Group unit since it worked with the SAS and reported back to the UK. Phantom jeeps were rare and I am not at all sure that No19 sets were used for this work. If you have any more information that would help me look in the right place I may be able to help more. 'Phantom Was There' by R.J.T. Hills, published 1951, is a good source. He was with Phantom in NW Europe. Mike.
Thanks for your interesting post Trux, I know for certain that my Grandfather definitely served in NW Europe landing at D Day +1 in a White Scout / Radio car, then travelled on, spending some time in Belgium. I am fairly sure that he bid not do parachute training or serve with the SAS, but know for certain that he did serve (for some time at least) in "F" Squadron, this is proven by his release papers above which have an "F" Section stamp on them. As far as the No 19 set is concerned, GHQ Liaison Regt. apparently did have Jeeps fitted with these sets I found an equipment break down by section each of which had a number of Jeeps equipped like this, I am however very happy to be proven wrong. I will try and dig out the publication that you mention as it's one I have not heard of before. Thanks again for the input, any further comments, suggestions or info are all much appreciated.
That makes sense. My comments about Jeeps and No19 sets were specific to 'F' Troop. I can find which Phantom vehicles landed on D Day. There were very few. 'F' Troop did not have much to do when the fighting reached enemy territory and they were rested until being sent to Norway at the end of the war. My father was sent there also although he was with an Air Sea Rescue launch used for patrol work in the fjords. Presumably your grandfather was transferred to 'F' Troop late in the campaign. More follows I hope. Mike
Hi have you looked for the units war diaries? All the 1944/45 unit diaries for NWE are listed in the link below. See post number 31, the Excel spreadsheet is WO 171. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/29605-national-archives-catalogue-excel.html Cheers Andy
Phantom on D Day. Three patrols were due to land on D Day, one with each division. Each patrol consisted of An Officer and seven men Two motorcycles carried in the jeep trailer. One Jeep towing a 10cwt trailer. Carried a R107 Receiver. One M3A1 White carrying a No22 set and a R107 Receiver. On Gold (50 Division) the Jeep landed from an LCT at H+90 minutes with the White following from a LST after H+6 hours. On Sword (3 Division) both vehicles landed from LCTs at H+285 minutes. On Juno (3 Canadian Division) the patrol could not land at all on D Day but did so on D+1. In all cases the patrols started listening to contact detachment nets and command nets while still at sea about H-2 hours. Reports were sent back to the UK by the 22 set. I do not see any other patrols landing on D Day or D + 1 but I have not found that attached to 7 Armoured Division yet. I don't see No 19 sets mentioned any time in the campaign although Canadian No9 sets replaced the No22 sets eventually. Perhaps they were used with the Phantom 'J' patrols which I have not looked at yet. I have seen only two pieces of evidence for the markings on the White, presumably the jeep is the same. One sketch by a member of the unit and one description agree that the 21 Army Group sign was carried on the nearside and the white P on a black ground on the offside. Mike
Hi Mike, I believe that my Grandfather landed on D Day +1, or that's what I recall from what he told me years ago. He definitely crewed a M3A1. Looks like I need to swap my No19 for a 107 doesn't it. Thanks very much for your help.
And an image I have managed to find of a Phantom Jeep, this one is I believe attached to the 1st Army group. Mark F.
Nice photo. I have not seen one of a Phantom Jeep before. The complete set of lights suggest it is immediately post war. War time vehicles had only one (masked) headlight. The shield could be either 1st or 2nd Army depending on colour. It is certainly comprehensively marked. The blue and white signals square would confer priority, the DR (despatch rider) markings confer higher priority and the 'P' even higher still. I guess it would have priority over any vehicle except a generals staff car. The position of the census number and off centre star are unusual. Mike
Phantom Patrol for 51 Division. This seems to be the only other Phantom patrol timed to land on D+1. 51 Division landed on Juno over three days, with the Phantom patrol due on the 4th tide. I can not tell if it landed on time but they beached LSTs and left them to dry out so they could unload without ferry craft and Rhinos, so should have been back on schedule by evening. Mike.
L/Sgt J S Forster (Service No.2353994) James Forster never served with 'F' Squadron. He served with RHQ in 1944/1945. He was part of 'L' Squadron in May 1945. With best wishes Asher Home
Mark For the last year or so, I've been researching my late grandfather's service with GHQ Liaison Regiment (A Sqn) - from this, I can help you on a few of your questions... (1) Orders from February 1944 determined 21Army Group flash to be placed on left arm of battle dress with Phantom 'P' flash on right arm. Additional Army flashes for different Squadrons. (2) F Sqn was attached to SAS Brigade, under command of Major JJ Astor. They trained at Auchenleck, Dumfries in March 44 including some parachute training, which incurred some losses. In May 44, they were HQ'd in York then prior to Overlord, they moved to Moor Park, Middlesex (Airborne Forces HQ) Invasion of Europe in June ops saw F Sqn members parachute into France - June 8: Morvain mountains, June 11: Poitiers, July 9: Le Mans, Aug: Rennes, Vosges Operation LOYTON is well recorded with SAS taking losses F Sqn officers in October '44: Maj JJ Astor Capt JA Darwall-Smith Capt HCPJ Fraser Capt JL Hislop Capt CR Moore Capt RJ Sadoine Lt PB Johnsen Lt JL McConnell Lt C McDevitt Lt JH Randall (3) Regarding vehicles, GHQ Liaison Regiment indeed used Jeeps. A Phantom patrol of an officer and 6 other ranks would be equipped with a Jeep, a White Scout car & 10cwt trailer combination and 2 motorcycles. In terms of wireless sets, the White was fitted with a 52 set and also a R107 receiver - although this could also be mounted in a Jeep. Some patrols had additional 22 or 19 set mounted in the Jeep. Corps patrols were larger outfits (a Capt & 15 other ranks) and were additionally equipped with wireless trucks, housing 3 R107 receivers. I've some photos of M3 A1 White scout car, Jeep and Norton bikes with markings - I'll try and post separately. Perhaps information overload here -post again if you have any other questions. John
I'd be most interested in any snippets of information about A-Sqn operations through late '44 - particularly in the Ardennes and the push into Germany in '45. If anyone has information relating to Phantom and Belsen, I'd be most grateful. John
Its a while since I have checked this thread, thanks very much for the latest, very interesting postings. "L/Sgt J S Forster (Service No.2353994) James Forster never served with 'F' Squadron. He served with RHQ in 1944/1945. He was part of 'L' Squadron in May 1945." Thanks for that Asher, it reconciles much better with the little I actually know. I do wonder however why his discharge papers ( a copy of which I sent you last year) bore the "F" Squadron stamp. Any ides? Regards, Mark
GHQ Liaison Regt - The Phantoms We are trying to get any information concerning my partner's grandfather's war service, his name was George Sidney Samuel White, Wireless Operator in the Phantoms (we believe) I have attached a photograph (dated 1942 The Phantoms) and added it to my gallery - (George is on the bottom row third from right) we know he received a citation from the US 12th army, would anyone have any information? Thanks for your help, Stephen. Twitter photo link: https://twitter.com/cameramanuk1/status/494905543874842624/photo/1
