Towards a Mechanised Army.

TOWARDS A MECHANISED ARMY.


THE BRITISH ARMY 1938.

INTRODUCTION.

It is often thought, and said, that the British Army had not prepared itself for war. It is true that the country as a whole had not prepared for war, and certainly not for the kind of war in which they were eventually involved. However throughout the 1920’s and 1930’s the British Army had kept up to date by developing new vehicles, testing available vehicles from commercial and foreign sources and holding trials and exercises to test theories and equipment. By the late 1930’s Britain had developed a range of vehicles, both armoured and softskin, and new weapons. The problem was not a lack of foresight by the army but a lack of funding from the government.

In the late 1920’s and early 1930’s planning was based on the assumption that there would be no war in the next ten years. World War One after all was ‘The War to End Wars’. Wishful thinking perhaps but there seemed no reason to doubt the assumption. Restrictions had been placed on Germany with regard to weapons and armed forces and the world seemed to be free of friction, with the League of Nations to ensure the peaceful resolution of problems.

Britain gave priority to the Royal Navy since on it depended the peaceful trade with the Empire and the rest of the world. The Army was primarily concerned with the policing of the Empire and much of it was serving overseas. There was little need of cavalry, artillery or tanks, although armoured car companies were useful.

Although ruling a great Empire, Britain was in financial difficulty. World War One had all but bankrupted the country. Britain’s gold reserves were seriously depleted, the pound was declining in value, the Great Slump was affecting industry and commerce and a series of strikes only worsened the financial situation.

By 1932 it was apparent that the world had problems which the League of Nations could not resolve and the British ‘Ten Year Plan’ was abandoned but it would be some time before any programme of rearmament would be agreed on. In 1934 the policy was that war in five years time should be planned for and it was decided that the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force should be strengthened. Any funding for the army was to go to improve coastal defences and build an effective anti aircraft defence system. 1n 1935 it was decided that providing for a war in Europe should take priority over defending the Empire.

By 1938 it was apparent that a war with Germany, and possibly Italy, was likely but that the British contribution to any conflict would mainly consist of naval and air forces. The army would form a Field Force based on the home establishment units. This would in the event of war become an Expeditionary Force. There was a shortage of modern equipment. In view of the large stocks of artillery weapons placed in store after World War One it was not thought necessary to develop new ones. When the need for new artillery became clear the only way to provide it was in many cases by improving the old equipment with new gun barrels and pneumatic tyred wheels. Medium tanks which were state of the art in the 1920’s were now obsolescent and other mechanised vehicles were being designed to replace the horse drawn vehicles. The Territorial Army could supply trained personnel but had in 1938 only sufficient vehicles and equipment for training.

The 1938 Peace Establishment Tables reveal much about the unpreparedness of the army, and even the meagre allocation of vehicles did not exist. There had been long deliberations and discussions about the role of the army. Politicians, industrialists, economists, foreign office as well as the armed forces pondered long and hard as to what were the needs for and the restrictions on the army.

The army was needed for:
Defence of the Empire. The major need was for the garrison of India, but there were many other parts of the Empire which required garrisons. In the 1930’s more than half the units of the British Army were serving overseas.

The defence of areas not part of the Empire but essential to its trade and security. There was a concern that Italy might seek to expand its North African empire into Egypt and thus threaten the Suez Canal, the route to and from the east. There was civil unrest in Palestine, mandated to Britain by the League of Nations, and eventually fourteen battalions were deployed there.

There was an obligation to support France if required. As in 1914 it was planned to send a small field force if France was threatened by Germany. There was a concern that if no help was forthcoming then France might not offer any defence.

There was a requirement for the army to provide coastal artillery defence and anti aircraft defence in the UK.


The War Office were aware of the need to reorganise and reequip the army but politicians decided that the navy and air force should have priority. Further the resources allotted to the army were to be used for coastal and air defence. If there should be war in Europe then Britain’s best defence was the English Channel. The navy was strong enough to deter any attempt at invasion, backed up by the armies coastal defences. Air Defence was to be provided by some of the most advanced fighter aircraft, sound location and radar, all co ordinated by a network of control centres.

If war should break out in Europe then the army could only find four divisions to form a Field Force. Even then there would not be the means to supply and maintain such a force. The Territorial Army which was intended to provide extra divisions would need re equipping before it was fit to take the field. There were insufficient financial resources for such an undertaking, and if there were there was not the industrial capacity to produce the equipment and supplies needed.

It was eventually decided in 1938 that the army would provide five divisions of regular troops. It would be necessary to retain one division for the defence of the UK and only two divisions were to be ready to support the French if required. A further two divisions were to be ready to move two months later when arrangements for their maintenance were made. The involvement of Territorial Army Divisions would depend on their being able to recruit, train and equip sufficiently.

The provision of equipment, including weapons and vehicles and all the other items required, needed much planning. Most of the material specific to the army came from four sources, the three Royal Ordnance Factories at Woolwich, Enfield and Waltham Abbey plus the armaments firm of Vickers. They did not have spare capacity and there was not sufficient industrial capacity elsewhere to meet all the demands. Any increase in capacity would require buildings, machine tools and skilled labour, none of which were readily available.

Vehicle production was a problem. For some years the army had ordered only small batches of vehicles for trials and development. British vehicle manufacturers were not equipped to produce large numbers. Fortunately the British subsidiaries of US vehicle manufacturers, Fordson and Bedford, were establishing mass production methods and although they had been reluctant to accept small orders they were willing, even anxious, to supply large quantities.

An obvious but often overlooked requirement was for ammunition. Large stocks would be required for a war. The casings for shells could be cast and machined by many firms but the manufacture of the necessary explosives could not be entrusted to just anyone.

Eventually it would be agreed that a Field Force of four infantry divisions, a mobile division, a tank brigade and a tactical support force from the RAF would be made available. Others would follow if necessary and when they were ready.

Although Britain had taken a lead in developing armoured vehicles and mobile units, planners still thought in terms of a long drawn out trench war. This would be especially true if the Field Force was to assist the French Army. The German Blitzkrieg was not foreseen. The desire to avoid war, and certainly not to be the aggressor, gave Germany the initiative.

Two military maxims were ignored:

‘He who would have peace must prepare for war.’ Publius Flavious Vegetius Renatus. A weak nation is always at the mercy of a strong aggressive one.

‘Attack, attack, always attack.’ In other words seize the initiative. Frederick the Great.

Mike.

Next: the 1938 Peace Establishment tables.

 

Some thoughts on the 1938 Peace Establishment Tables.

Throughout the 1930’s the Peace Establishment Tables and War Establishment Tables existed side by side. The precise relationship between Peace Establishment and War Establishment is not clear. When or if units on the Peace Establishment changed to a War Establishment, or who decided such things, is equally unclear. In most cases this difference between the establishment tables is not great.

Some aspects are clearly traditional and more suited to peacetime garrison life than active campaigning.

-The officers in the ‘arms’ have horses and the grooms to attend to them. There would be no place for mounted officers on the battlefield. They are intended for parades and for the traditional garrison ceremonial. The BEF would be completely mechanised, except for a small number of riding horses for the Commander in Chief and his staff.

-The infantry has drummers who also use the bugle. Cavalry and artillery both have trumpeters. In all cases the bugle/trumpet have no place on the battlefield but in peacetime garrisons the day is regulated by bugle/trumpet calls. Few people had watches in those days. All the traditional calls were used – reveille, cookhouse, sun rise/flag raising, parade, sunset/flag lowering, lights out. In some mechanised units the trumpeter is listed as being trained as a signaller.

-Bands are listed for infantry and cavalry. These are used for ceremonial occasions, for marching and for entertainment. Most members of the band double in other roles, mainly medical orderlies, intelligence duties or making up numbers in rifle platoons. Although many units retained the band on active service they no longer appear on the War Establishment Table (except for the Guards who are always different).

-The ‘arm’ units list boys. These were too young to enlist but were taken on strength to train as musicians, and ultimately to enlist as regulars. At the time the school leaving age was 14, too young to enlist.

Communications.
Communications are shown as depending on physical means to a large extent.

-Written messages and orders were carried by orderlies, on foot or on bicycle as appropriate. Armoured units relied largely on signal flags.

-Behind the front line field telephones were set up and the necessary wires and exchanges installed. These could obviously only be used in static positions and not in mobile warfare.

-Wireless was available. In armoured formations it was usual to have a wireless set in the vehicles of troop and section commanders. Wireless was not used within infantry units. Speech radio was not generally used. Wireless operators used Morse code.


Vehicles.
The allotment of motor vehicles was less than generous, and even then the establishment was often not fully filled.

-In most units there were only sufficient motor vehicles to replace horse drawn vehicles. Officer’s horses were replaced by motorcycle or 2 seater car.

-Tanks, both medium and light were in short supply and for exercises etc. might be represented by trucks.

-It was intended that lorries, load carriers over 30cwt, should largely be provided by subsidy lorries or by requisition. The subsidy lorries were 3ton 6X4 manufactured to War Department specification and sold at a discount to firms on the understanding that the army could claim then when needed. Not many were bought by civilians. Large numbers of lorries were requisitioned on mobilisation. These were of a variety of makes, and an even greater variety of bodies. Civilian owners tended to hide their better, newer vehicles.

-Carriers were in short supply. The Peace Establishment stipulated fewer than the ideal number but even that reduced figure could not be met. An example was the basic Bren gun carrier. 10 carriers, three sections of three plus a commander, was the ideal but only 7 carriers are listed for most infantry units.

Some requirements had not been foreseen in the Peace Establishments.
-Recovery vehicles were very few in number.

-The means to transport tanks other than by rail were not provided. The BEF had two 20ton Scammel transporters for recovery.

-Units had vehicles assigned for driver training and maintenance training. This suggests that units were responsible for training their own drivers and motor mechanics. Such vehicles were handed in before going overseas and do not appear on War Establishments.


Who was responsible for producing War Establishment and Peace Establishment tables?
Many people of course. Apart from those who actually drafted the tables there were a great many people at several levels who had an input and who needed to agree the final document.

The chain:
The Army Council was the body established in 1904 to be responsible for the Army. It consisted of:
-The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for War.
-The Permanent Under Secretary of State for War. As secretary.
-Chief of the Imperial General Staff.
-Quartermaster General.
-Adjutant General.
-Master General of the Ordnance.

The War Office.

The General Staff.

The War Establishment Committee. Responsible for approving the War Establishment tables at weekly meetings.

The Directorate of Staff Duties. Responsible for preparing the War Establishment tables.


The Chief of the Imperial Staff from 1937 was Field Marshall the Viscount Gort VC. On mobilisation he would become Commander in Chief BEF.



The following Peace Establishment tables, 1938, will be posted.
1. Infantry Battalion.
2. Machine Gun Battalion.
3. Cavalry Armoured Car Regiment.
4. Cavalry Light Tank Regiment.
5. Army Tank Battalion.
6. Divisional Signals.
7. Field Regiment RA.
8. Medium Regiment RA.
9. Field Company/Squadron RE.

Mike.

 

INFANTRY BATTALION 1938.
Peace Establishment.

Headquarters.
Lieutenant Colonel.
Major, second in command.
Adjutant.
Regimental Serjeant Major. WO I.
Orderly Room Serjeant.
Serjeant Instructor. Weapons training.
Provost Serjeant.
Orderly Room Clerk.
2 clerks.
3 batmen.
6 police.
Medical officer’s orderly.

3 bicycles.
4 motorcycles.
Car 4 seater.
Truck 8cwt.
Truck 15cwt.

Band.
Bandmaster. WOI.
Band serjeant.
Drum Major.
16 drummers.
Band corporal.
36 bandsmen.
16 boys.

Note:
Band serjeant, band corporal and 20 bandsmen will be trained as a medical section.
Drum Major and six bandsmen will be trained in intelligence duties.
Remainder of the band will be trained to take places in the platoons of rifle companies.
Boys will be trained as bandsmen.

Headquarters Company.
Headquarters.
Major.
Company Serjeant Major. WO I.
Company Quartermaster Serjeant.
Serjeant for pay duties.
Private. Trained as range taker.
Clerk.
2 Storemen.
Batman.
8cwt truck.

No1 Platoon. Signals.
Officer. Platoon Commander.
Signalling serjeant.
Signalling corporal.
28 signallers.
2 motorcyclists.
Batman.

8 bicycles.
3 motorcycles. One for signalling serjeant.
8cwt truck.
15cwt truck for signals stores.

No 2 Platoon. Anti Aircraft Light Machine Guns.
Platoon serjeant. WO III.
2 corporals.
12 privates.
Motorcyclist.

2 motorcycles. One for Platoon Serjeant.
4 15cwt trucks fitted with Motley mounts.

No 3 Platoon. Mortars. HQ and two detachments.
Platoon Serjeant. WO III.
2 corporals.
14 privates. I as range taker.

2 bicycles.
Motorcycle.
2 15cwt trucks. For mortars and ammunition.

No 4 Platoon. Carriers. HQ and three detachments.
Officer. Platoon Commander.
Serjeant.
6 corporals.
11 privates.
10 drivers IC.
Batman.

15 cwt truck.
7 Carriers, Bren.

No 5 Platoon. Pioneers.
Platoon Serjeant. WO III.
Pioneer corporal.
18 pioneers.

2 bicycles.
Motorcycle. For WO III.
15 cwt truck.

No 6 Platoon. Administrative.
Transport Officer.
Quartermaster.
4 Quartermaster storemen.
1 equipment repairer.
5 officers mess.
5 serjeants mess.
2 batmen.
6 cooks.
butchery duties.
Postman.
2 regimental institute.
Corporals room.
3 grooms.

Attached RAOC.
2 armourers.
Staff serjeant armament artificer. Fitter.
2 fitters, vehicle.

6 horses. Pool for officers.
8cwt truck.

For instruction.
Motorcycle.
3 wheeled vehicles.


Four identical companies. Each:
Headquarters.
Company Commander.
Company second in command.
Company Serjeant Major. WO II.
Company Quartermaster serjeant.
6 privates.
Clerk.
Storeman, non technical.
2 batmen.

2 bicycles.
8 cwt trucks.
2 15 cwt trucks.

3 Platoons. Each:
Officer. Platoon Commander. One platoon has WO III.
Serjeant.
2 corporals.
32 privates.
Clerk.
Storeman (non technical).
Batman. Only in platoon commanded by an officer.

Bicycle.


Total personnel in battalion.
24 Officers.
710 Rank and file.

Total vehicles in battalion.
35 bicycles.
11 motorcycles.
Car 4 seater.
8 8cwt trucks.
18 15cwt trucks.
7 carriers. (10 in certain battalions.)

Mike.

 

Machine Gun Battalion. 1938.
Peace Establishment.

Headquarters Company and four Machine Gun Companies.

Headquarters.
Lieutenant Colonel.
Second in Command.
Adjutant.
Intelligence Officer.
Regimental Serjeant Major. WOI.
Orderly Room Serjeant.
Serjeant Instructor, weapons training.
Provost serjeant.
Orderly room clerk.
2 clerks.
4 batmen.
6 regimental police.
Medical Officers orderly.

5 motorcycles. For Intelligence Officer, provost serjeant and 3 police.
1 car 4 seater.
1 8cwt truck
1 15cwt truck for battalion office.

Band.
Bandmaster. WOI.
Band serjeant.
Drum major.
16 drummers.
Band corporal.
36 bandsmen.
16 boys for training as drummers.

Band serjeant, band corporal and 20 bandsmen trained as medical section.
Drum major and 6 men trained for intelligence duties.
Remainder trained as machine gunners.

Headquarters Company.
Company Headquarters.
Company Commander.
Second in Command
Company Serjeant Major. WOII.
Company Quartermaster Serjeant.
2 clerks.
Storeman, non technical.
2 batmen.

No1, Signal, Platoon.
Officer, platoon commander.
Signalling serjeant.
Signalling corporal.
20 signallers
driver IC.
5 motorcyclists.
Batman.

5 motorcycles.
1 8cwt truck.

No2, LMG platoon.
Serjeant Major, WOIII.
2 corporal drivers.
13 driver IC.
Motorcyclist.

2 motorcycles.
4 15cwt trucks with Motley AA mounts.

No3, Administrative platoon.
Transport Officer.
Quartermaster.
Pioneer serjeant.
Serjeant cook.
Transport serjeant.
Officers mess serjeant.
3 corporal drivers.
Corporal MT storeman.
13 drivers IC.
2 clerks.
Storeman, technical
Storeman, non technical.
4 Quartermaster stores.
6 pioneers.
Equipment repairer.
5 officers mess.
5 serjeants mess.
3 batmen.
6 cooks.
water duties.
Postman.
2 regimental Institute.
Corporals room.

1 motorcycle.
2 8cwt trucks.
2 15cwt trucks.

Instructional vehicles.
3 motorcycles.
5 wheeled vehicles.

Attached RAOC.
3 armourers.
Ordnance mechanical engineer.
Armament artificer. WOII.
2 fitters, motor vehicle.
Electrician.
Storeman.
Driver mechanic.

Lorry 30cwt 6wheel breakdown.
Lorry 30cwt 6 wheel stores.
Car 4 seater.
Motorcycle.

4 Machine Gun Company. Each.
Headquarters.
Company Commander.
Company Second in Command.
Company serjeant major. WOII
Company Quartermaster serjeant.
Serjeant driver IC.
Corporal MT stores.
7 drivers IC.
3 drivers IC for vehicles.
Motorcyclist.
Clerk.
Motor Mechanic.
Storeman, technical.
Storeman, non technical.
Cook.
2 batmen.

Motorcycle.
8cwt truck.
2 15cwt trucks.

3 X Platoon each.
Headquarters.
Officer commander.
4 drivers.
Motorcyclist.
Serjeant driver IC.

2 X Section. Each.
12 drivers IC.
4 drivers IC for vehicles.
Rangetaker, driver IC.

2 15cwt trucks.

Notes:
AA Light Machine Gun and Machine Gun crews are listed as driver IC
Drivers for vehicles are listed as such.
Vehicles at the time had two driver IC. Driving was a rare skill and each driver had an assistant.
8cwt trucks were not available. Four seater cars were provided in lieu.

Section = 2 MMG.
Platoon = 4 MMG.
Company = 12 MMG.
Battalion = 48 MMG.

Mike.

I am glad to see that people have found the thread. It seems to have been moved from its original place to a sub forum. Had me worried yesterday when I could not find it.

 

CAVALRY ARMOURED CAR REGIMENT. 1938.
Peace Establishment.

Headquarters and 3 squadrons.

Headquarters.
Lieutenant Colonel.
Second in Command.
Adjutant.
Regimental Serjeant Major. WO I.
Squadron Serjeant Major. WO II.
Serjeant.
Corporal driver IC.
8 troopers, drivers IC.
4 troopers, driver IC. Spare.
3 batmen.

2 armoured cars.
6 motorcycles.
4 cars, 2 seater.

Band.
Bandmaster. WO I.
Band serjeant.
Trumpet major.
Band corporal.
22 Bandsmen. Includes 7 acting.
9 Boys. For training as trumpeters and bandsmen.

Notes:
All bandsmen and acting bandsmen form a motorcycle troop.
3rd Hussars have 1 kettledrummer.

Headquarters Squadron.
Headquarters.
Squadron Leader.
Squadron Serjeant Major. WO II.
Squadron Quarter Master Serjeant.
Trooper, driver IC.
Clerk.
Storeman. Non technical.

Horse.
8cwt wireless.

Anti Tank Troop.
Troop Serjeant Major. WO III.
Serjeant driver IC.
2 Corporal drivers IC.
19 drivers IC, tracked vehicles.

4 anti tank carriers.

Motorcycle Troop.
Officer. Troop leader.
Provost serjeant.
Transport serjeant.
2 corporal drivers.
12 motorcyclists.
2 regimental police.
20 motorcycles.

Administration Troop.
Technical Officer.
Quartermaster.
Regimental Quarter Master Serjeant. WO II.
Serjeant cook.
Officers mess serjeant.
Corporal driver IC.
Corporal, MT stores.
9 Troopers, drivers MT, wheeled vehicles.
2 Storemen, technical.
Quartermaster stores.
Equipment repairer.
Carpenter and joiner.
5 officers mess.
5 serjeants mess.
10 batmen.
4 grooms.
3 cooks.
Butchery duties.
Postman.
Medical Officers orderly.
Regimental Institute.
Corporals room.

Horse.
4 30cwt lorries.
3 15cwt trucks.
2 8cwt trucks.
15cwt water tank trailer.

4 instructional 4 wheel vehicles.

Attached RAOC.
7 fitters, motor vehicle.
2 armourers.
Light Aid Detachment.

3 Squadrons. Each:
Squadron Headquarters. Fighting.
Squadron Leader.
Squadron 2ic.
Squadron Serjeant Major. WO II.
Trumpeter.
Orderly Room Clerk.
9 troopers, drivers IC, tracked vehicles.
Clerk.

2 horses.
3 armoured cars.
Armoured scout carrier.

Squadron Headquarters. Administrative.
Squadron Quartermaster serjeant.
Corporal, MT stores.
5 Troopers, drivers IC, wheeled.
Storeman, technical.
Storeman, non technical.
4 batmen.
2 grooms.
Cook.

2 30cwt lorries.
3 15 cwt trucks.

5 X Troops. Each:
Officer Troop Leader. Troops 1 and 3.
Troop Serjeant Major. WO III. Troops 2,4 and 5.
Corporal driver.
10 troopers, driver IC, tracked vehicles.

Horse.
3 armoured cars.

Mike.

 

Excellent work Mike.






When I read that line it immediately made me think of Norman Wisdom; and it made me smile.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

CAVALRY LIGHT TANK REGIMENT. 1938.
Peace Establishment.

Headquarters and 3 squadrons.

Headquarters.
Lieutenant Colonel.
Second in Command.
Troop Leader. Headquarters tanks and carriers plus Intelligence Officer.
Troop Leader. Signalling Officer.
Adjutant.
Regimental Serjeant Major. WO I.
Orderly room serjeant.
Serjeant driver IC.
Signalling serjeant.
Serjeant Instructor. Weapons training.
Orderly room clerk.
2 Corporal drivers IC.
9 troopers, drivers IC tracked vehicle.
Trooper driver IC wheeled vehicle.
2 Clerks.

5 Horses.
4 Light tanks.
2 Armoured Scout Carriers.
8cwt truck.

Band.
Bandmaster. WO I.
Band serjeant.
Trumpet major.
Band corporal.
22 Bandsmen. Includes 7 acting.
9 Boys. For training as trumpeters and bandsmen.

Notes:
All bandsmen and acting bandsmen form a motorcycle troop.

Headquarters Squadron.
Headquarters.
Squadron Leader.
Squadron Serjeant Major. WO II.
Squadron Quarter Master Serjeant.
Trooper, driver IC.
Clerk.
Storeman. Non technical.

Horse.
8cwt wireless.

Anti Tank Troop.
Troop Serjeant Major. WO III.
Serjeant driver IC.
2 Corporal drivers IC.
19 drivers IC, tracked vehicles.

4 anti tank carriers.

Motorcycle Troop.
Officer. Troop leader.
Provost serjeant.
Transport serjeant.
2 corporal drivers.
12 motorcyclists.
2 regimental police.

20 motorcycles.

Administration Troop.
Technical Officer.
Quartermaster.
Regimental Quarter Master Serjeant. WO II.
Serjeant cook.
Officers mess serjeant.
Corporal driver IC.
Corporal, MT stores.
9 Troopers, drivers MT, wheeled vehicles.
2 Storemen, technical.
Quartermaster stores.
Equipment repairer.
Carpenter and joiner.
5 officers mess.
5 serjeants mess.
10 batmen.
4 grooms.
3 cooks.
Butchery duties.
Postman.
Medical Officers orderly.
Regimental Institute.
Corporals room.

Horse.
4 30cwt lorries.
3 15cwt trucks.
2 8cwt trucks.
15cwt water tank trailer.
4 instructional 4 wheel vehicles.

Attached RAOC.
7 fitters, motor vehicle.
2 armourers.
Light Aid Detachment.


3 Squadrons. Each:
Squadron Headquarters. Fighting.
Squadron Leader.
Squadron Second in Command.
Squadron Serjeant Major. WO II.
Trumpeter.
Orderly Room Clerk.
9 troopers, drivers IC, tracked vehicles.
Clerk.

2 horses.
3 light tanks.
Scout carrier.

Squadron Headquarters. Administrative.
Squadron Quartermaster serjeant.
Corporal, MT stores.
5 Troopers, drivers IC, wheeled.
Storeman, technical.
Storeman, non technical.
4 batmen.
2 grooms.
Cook.

2 30cwt lorries.
3 15 cwt trucks.

5 X Troops. Each:
Officer Troop Leader. Troops 1 and 3.
Troop Serjeant Major. WO III. Troops 2,4 and 5.
Corporal driver.
10 troopers, driver IC, tracked vehicles.

Horse.
3 Light tanks.

Mike.

 

ARMY TANK BATTALION. 1938.
Peace Establishment.

Headquarters and three companies plus a light tank company.

Headquarters.
Lieutenant Colonel.
Major.
Subaltern.
Adjutant.
Quartermaster
Technical Officer.
Regimental Serjeant Major. WO I.
2 serjeants.
Serjeant cook.
Officers mess serjeant.
Provost serjeant.
3 corporal drivers IC.
23 drivers IC.

Trades.
3 mechanics.
2 clerks.
2 regimental police.
Medical Officers orderly.
Cook.
3 storemen, technical.
Storeman, non technical.
3 quartermaster stores.
7 batmen.
Postman.
2 regimental institute.
4 officers mess.
6 serjeants mess.
Corporals room.
Butchery duties.
10 drivers IC.
9 motorcyclists.
2 RAOC armourers.

Medium tank.
2 Close support tanks.
Light tank.
9 motorcycles.
Car 6 seater.
3 cars 2 seater.
Car 4 seater.
2 3ton lorries GS.
30cwt lorry GS.
Van 12cwt GS.
2 trailers 15cwt water tank.
2 trailers 15cwt kitchen.

3 X Company. Each.
Headquarters.
Major.
Captain.
Company Serjeant Major. WO II.
Company Quartermaster Serjeant.
Corporal driver IC
6 drivers IC.

Trades.
5 mechanics.
2 clerks.
Storeman, technical.
Storeman, non technical.
2 batmen.
2 drivers IC, first line transport.
2 motorcyclists.

Medium tank.
2 motorcycles.
Car 6 seater.
30cwt lorry GS.

Close Support Section.
Subaltern.
Serjeant driver IC.
2 Corporal drivers IC.
10 drivers IC.
Batman.

2 Close Support Tanks.

Medium Tank Section.
Captain.
2 Subalterns.
3 serjeant drivers IC.
4 corporal drivers IC.
25 drivers IC.
3 batmen.

5 medium tanks.

Light Tank Section.
2 Subalterns.
2 serjeant drivers IC.
4 corporal drivers IC.
20 drivers IC.
2 batmen.

7 light tanks.

Light Tank Company.
Headquarters.
Major.
Captain.
Company Serjeant Major. WO II.
Company Quartermaster Serjeant.
2 corporal drivers IC.
6 drivers IC.

Trades.
4 mechanics.
2 clerks.
2 cooks.
Storeman technical,
Storeman non technical.
2 batmen.
2 drivers IC. 1st line transport.
4 motorcyclists.

2 light tanks.
4 motorcycles.
Car 2 seater.
30cwt lorry 6X4 GS. Fitters.

4 X Section. Each.
2 subalterns.
2 company quartermaster serjeants.
2 corporal drivers IC.
14 drivers IC.
2 batmen.

5 light tanks.

Note:
Section 1 has a Captain and one subaltern.

Mike.

 

DIVISIONAL SIGNALS. 1938.
Peace Establishment.

Headquarters and three companies.

Headquarters.
Lieutenant Colonel.
Major.
Adjutant.
Quartermaster.
Regimental Serjeant Major. WO I.
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant. WO II.
Serjeant.
4 corporals.
7 signalmen.
4 drivers IC
2 drivers.

Trades.
7 clerks.
Draughtsman, signals.
Farrier.
2 storemen.
3 drivers IC.
Driver IC as batman.
2 drivers as grooms.

4 horses.

30cwt lorry GS.
Car 4 seater.
Car 2 seater.
Motorcycle.


No1 Company.
Headquarters.
Captain.
Company Serjeant Major. WO II.
2 corporals.
5 signalmen.
3 drivers IC.

Trades.
Clerk.
NCO for cooks.
Storeman.
2 sanitary duties.
Cook.
General duty.
3 drivers IC.
Driver IC as batman.
2 drivers as grooms.

3ton lorry GS.
Car 2 seat.
2 motorcycles.

‘A’ Section. Wireless.
Captain.
Section Serjeant Major. WO III.
Company Serjeant Major, foreman of signals.
Serjeant.
4 corporals.
32 signalmen.
3 drivers IC.

Trades.
4 electricians, signals.
30 operators, signals.
Storeman.
General duties.

4 15cwt trucks, wireless.
7 8cwt trucks, wireless.
2 cars 2 seater.
Motorcycle.

‘B’ Section. Wire.
Subaltern.
Serjeant.
3 corporals.
15 signalmen.
8 drivers IC.

Trades.
18 linesmen.
7 drivers IC.
driver as batman.

3 30cwt lorries GS.
4 15cwt trucks GS.
Car 2 seat.
3 motorcycles.

‘C’ Section. For Divisional cavalry regiment.
Section Serjeant Major. WO III.
Corporal.
14 signalmen
2 drivers IC.

Trades:
2 electricians.
13 operators, signals.

3ton lorry GS.
15cwt truck GS.
Motorcycle.

‘D’ Section. Operating.
Headquarters Sub Section.
Captain.
Subaltern.
Corporal.
11 signalmen.
4 drivers IC.

Trades:
9 linemen.
Cook.
General duties.

2 15 cwt trucks GS.
2 cars 4 seater.

3 X Operating Sub Section. Each:
Serjeant.
Corporal.
7 signallers.
2 drivers IC.

Trades:
Clerk.
7 operators.

3 lorries 3ton GS.
3 bicycles.

Despatch Rider Sub Section.
Corporal.
12 signalmen.
13 motorcycles.

‘M’ Section. Technical Maintenance.
Technical Maintenance Officer.
Company Quartermaster Serjeant. Foreman of signals.
Corporal.
15 signalmen.

Trades:
2 carpenter and joiners.
6 fitters, signals.
7 instrument mechanics
Storeman.

No 2 Company.
For artillery regiments.
Headquarters.
Captain.
Company Serjeant Major. WO II.
2 signalmen.
Driver IC.
Clerk.
Storeman.

E, F and G Sections. Each:
Subaltern.
Serjeant.
2 corporals.
18 signalmen.
4 drivers IC.

Trades.
2 despatch riders.
Electrician, signals.
4 linemen.
12 operators, signals.
Cook.

30cwt lorry 6 wheeled GS.
30cwt lorry 4 wheeled GS.
4 8cwt trucks, wireless.
15cwt truck GS.
12 motorcycles.

No 3 Company.
For infantry brigades.
Headquarters.
Captain.
Company Serjeant Major. WO II.
Company Quartermaster Serjeant.
Clerk.
Storeman.
Driver IC.

Car 2 seater.

‘J’, ‘K’ and ‘L’ Sections. Each:
Subaltern.
Serjeant.
2 corporals.
23 signalmen.
3 drivers IC.

Trades:
Clerk.
2 despatch riders.
4 linesmen.
16 operators.
Cook.
General dutyman.

2 30cwt lorries GS.
4 8cwt trucks wireless.
Car 2 seater.
3 motorcycles.


Signals equipment will be discussed later,

Mike.

 

FIELD REGIMENT RA. 1938.
Peace Establishment.

Headquarters and two batteries.
Each battery has a troop of four 25pdr guns and two troops each of 2 25pdr guns.

Headquarters.
Lieutenant Colonel.
Adjutant.
Quartermaster.
Regimental Serjeant Major. WO I.
Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant. WO II.
Serjeant, technical stores.
Serjeant, orderly room.
Serjeant cook.
Trumpeter, trained as signaller.
2 bombardiers.
Clerk RA.
Motor mechanic.
Technical storeman.
37 gunners and drivers including.
-2 police.
-5 clerks.
-4 orderlies.
-sanitary duties.
-3 batmen.
-5 grooms.
-6 driver IC.
- driver, spare.
- butchery duties.
-2 light machine gunners.

30cwt lorry GS.
Instructional lorry.
15cwt truck GS.
15cwt truck Office.
2 8cwt trucks GS.
Car 4 seater.
3 motorcycles.
Bicycle.

3 Batteries. Each.
Headquarters.
Major.
3 Captains and subalterns.
Battery Serjeant Major. WO II.
Troop Serjeant Major. WO III.
Battery quartermaster serjeant.
Trumpeter trained as signaller.
3 bombardiers.
7 tradesmen.
49 gunners and drivers.

3 30cwt lorries GS.
Carrier, scout.
2 learner vehicles.
2 15cwt trucks GS.
15cwt truck with mechanical cable layer.
15 cwt truck with hand cable layer and Motley mount.
8 cwt trucks GS.
2 8cwt trucks, wireless.
7 motorcycles.
2 bicycles.

4 Gun Troop.
Headquarters.
2 Captains and subalterns.
Battery Serjeant Major. WO II.
Troop Serjeant Major. WO III.
Trumpeter trained as signaller.
2 bombardiers.
2 tradesmen.
15 gunners and drivers.

2 15cwt trucks GS.
2 8cwt trucks wireless.
2 motorcycles.

2 Sections. Each:
2 serjeants, no 1 of guns.
2 bombardiers.
2 driver mechanics.
2 tradesmen.
9 gunners.
Driver IC.

3 Tractors, Field Artillery.

2 Gun Troop 1.
Captain.
Subaltern.
Battery Serjeant Major. WO II.
Trumpeter trained as signaller.
2 bombardiers.
2 tradesmen.
15 gunners and drivers.

2 15cwt trucks GS.
2 8cwt trucks wireless.
2 motorcycles.

2 Sections. Each:
2 serjeants, no 1 of guns.
2 bombardiers.
2 driver mechanics.
2 tradesmen.
9 gunners.
Driver IC.

3 Tractors, Field Artillery.

2 Gun Troop 2.
Subaltern.
Battery Serjeant Major. WO II.
Trumpeter trained as signaller.
2 bombardiers.
2 tradesmen.
15 gunners and drivers.

2 15cwt truck GS.
2 8cwt wireless.
2 motorcycle.

2 Sections. Each:
2 serjeants, no 1 of guns.
2 bombardiers.
2 driver mechanics.
2 tradesmen.
9 gunners.
Driver IC.

3 Tractors, Field Artillery.

Note:
A section consisted of two Field Artillery Tractors each towing a trailer No27 and a 25pdr gun. The third Field Artillery Tractor towed two trailer No27. In action if the guns fired all the ammunition in their trailers the third tractor exchanged its two full trailers for the two empty ones and drove off to refill them.

Mike.

 

Super stuff Mike.

Snippets within get you thinking; Spike maybe?



From:



Were the trumpeting signallers paid for two "trades"?

Kind regards, and Harry James, always,

Jim.

 

MEDIUM REGIMENT RA.
Peace Establishment.

Headquarters, 1 battery of 4 X 60pdr guns and 3 batteries of 4 X 6” howitzers.

Regimental Headquarters.
Lieutenant Colonel.
Adjutant.
Subaltern.
Quartermaster.
Regimental Serjeant Major. WO I.
Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant. WO II.
Serjeant, orderly room.
Serjeant, technical stores.
Serjeant cook.
Trumpeter.
3 bombardiers.
6 tradesmen.
32 gunners.

Trades.
Instrument repairer.
Driver mechanic.
2 motor mechanics.
Technical storeman.
Clerk RA.
Butchery duties.
3 linesmen
2 police.
5 cooks.
2 orderlies.
6 officers servants.
5 driver RA as grooms.
6 drivers IC.
Driver IC, spare.
10 horses.

30cwt 6 wheel lorry.
Instructional lorry.
3 15cwt trucks GS.
15cwt truck, Office.
3 8cwt trucks, wireless.
5 motorcycles.
Bicycle.

Note:
One officers servant is for attached OME RAOC.
One officers servant is for Regimental Serjeant Major.
Drivers RA are redundant drivers for horse drawn artillery.

4 X Battery. Each:
Headquarters.
Major.
Captain.
Subaltern.
Battery Serjeant Major. WO II.
Battery Quartermaster Serjeant.
2 trumpeters.
3 bombardiers.
7 tradesmen.
35 gunners.
Battery surveyor.
2 clerk RA.
Motor mechanic.
3 driver mechanics.
NCO in charge of signallers.
14 signallers.
Battery commanders assistant.
Gun position officers assistant.
Battery surveyors assistant.
Officers mess servant.
Serjeants mess serjeant.
Cook.
4 orderlies.
Sanitary duty.
3 officers servants.
7 drivers IC.
Driver IC, spare.

2 lorries 30cwt.
Learner vehicle.
2 trucks 15cwt wire laying.
6 trucks 8cwt wireless.
6 motorcycles.
1 bicycle.

2 X section. Each of two guns.
Right Section.
Subaltern.
2 serjeant No1 of guns.
2 bombardiers
Tradesman.
21 gunners.
Driver mechanic.
16 gun detachments.
2 ammunition numbers.

2 Dragons or tractors.
Lorry 3ton 6wheel.

Left Section.
Troop serjeant. WO III.
2 serjeant No1 of guns.
2 bombardiers.
Tradesman.
20 gunners.
Driver mechanic.
16 gun detachments.
2 ammunition numbers.

2 Dragons or tractors.
Lorry 3ton 6wheel.

As Left Section has a Troop Serjeant, WO III, instead of an officer there is no officer’s servant and therefor one less gunner.

Mike.

 

ROYAL ENGINEERS FIELD COMPANY (MECHANISED). 1938.
Peace Establishment.

Headquarters and three sections.

Headquarters.
Company commander.
Second in command.
Company Serjeant Major. WO II.
Company Quartermaster Serjeant.
Serjeant.
4 corporals.
11 sappers.
13 drivers IC.
Groom.

Trades.
Carpenter and joiner.
3 clerks.
1 draughtsman (architectural).
Electrician.
Fitter.
Painter and decorator.
Surveyor (engineering).
3 pioneers.
15 drivers IC
Groom.

1 sapper will be trained a trumpeter.
1 company per division will have a saddler and harness maker in lieu of one sapper.

Vehicles.
5 30cwt 6X4 lorries with winch.
15cwt water tank.
2 15cwt trucks GS.
2 8cwt trucks GS.
4 motorcycles.
1 bicycle.

2 horses.

The water tank will be loaned from RAOC depot for the purpose of training exercises.

3 Sections each:
Section commander.
Section second in command.
Serjeant.
2 corporals.
27 sappers.
7 drivers IC.

Section commander is a lieutenant in two sections and is an extra serjeant in one section

Trades.
2 blacksmiths.
2 bricklayers.
7 carpenter and joiners.
Concretor.
Electrician.
2 fitters.
2 engine artificers.
Mason, miner.
Painter and decorator.
Plumber and pipefitter.
Tinsmith and whitesmith.
Waterman.
Engine hand
4 pioneers.
Stoker (stationary engine).
7 drivers IC.

Vehicles.
2 30cwt 6X4 lorries with winch.
15cwt compressor.
2 15cwt trucks GS.
8 cwt GS.
2 motorcycles.
Bicycle.

Mike.

That concludes the 1938 Peace Establishments. There will be a short break to rest my brain and then we will travel back a decade and begin tracing the journey towards a mechanised army.

 

TOWARDS MECHANISATION.

The development of mechanical transport and preparation for war as shown in the War Establishment Tables and Peace Establishment Tables, plus various secondary sources.

We have seen that by 1938 all units were mechanised and hardly a horse remained. The few horses that did remain, largely officer’s chargers, would disappear when the War Establishment replaced the Peace Establishment. A decade earlier, 1928, an infantry battalion did not have any motor transport at all. Many other types of unit had very few motor vehicles.


Introduction.
The possibilities and advantages of mechanised transport were seen very early by the army. Steam road traction was trialled, and used, in the closing years of the nineteenth century. Some internal combustion vehicles were used before WW1 but they tended to be hired vehicles used for manoeuvres.

In civilian life mechanised transport had fairly limited applications. There were many firms building vehicles which were powered by steam, electricity, petrol and diesel but apart from a small number of private cars these were mostly buses and trams for use in towns and cities or fairly small load carrying lorries which carried goods from the nearest railway. Rail accounted for the great majority of long distance passenger journeys and for the movement of goods.

WW1 saw a greater interest in mechanical transport by the army. These included:

Transport of troops from the railway to the front using commandeered buses.

The use of motorcycles for despatch riders.

Motorcycles with sidecars for carrying machine guns.

Armoured cars converted from heavy motor cars.

The movement of supplies and stores from the railheads by motor lorries.

The movement of heavy guns.

Front line units did not need to be very mobile. The fighting was largely static trench warfare and local transport using horse drawn vehicles was adequate.

A factor in the slow take up of mechanised vehicles was the limited production facilities of most manufacturers. Dubious reliability and poor cross country performance were other factors. Anyway there were plenty of horses available.

By the late 1920’s armies were seriously considering the advantages of mechanised transport.

In 1928 the infantry battalion, the most numerous type of unit, was still entirely dependant on horse drawn vehicles. Below are the War Establishments for an infantry battalion and its supporting light brigade RA.


Infantry Battalion 1928.
War Establishment.

The 1928 War Establishment provided for an infantry battalion on the Home Establishment which would be equipped to serve overseas in a Small War. No large scale war was envisaged. The War Establishment table includes instructions for the battalion in the case of mobilisation.

The infantry battalion was completely unmechanised. All transport was by horse or horse drawn vehicle, with a few bicycles.

The battalion consisted of a Headquarters Wing, a machine gun company and three rifle companies.

Headquarters.
First Group. Tactical Headquarters.
Lieutenant Colonel. Officer Commanding with two riding horses.
Major, Second in Command with one riding horse.
Adjutant with one riding horse.
Regimental Serjeant Major.

Signal Officer, Subaltern with one riding horse.
Signal Serjeant
32 Signallers.
8 bicycles.

Intelligence Officer, Subaltern.
Intelligence Serjeant.
6 Intelligence privates.
8 bicycles.

Serjeant clerk.
2 clerks.

Serjeant Stretcher Bearer. The band serjeant.
20 stretcher bearers, Bandsmen.

Medical Officers Orderly.
5 orderlies with bicycles.
Bugler.
3 Batmen including one for RSM.
4 Batmen grooms, including
-one for Medical Officer
-one for Commanding Officer.
-one for Second in Command.
-one shared by adjutant and signal officer.


Headquarters. 2nd Group. Anti Tank Guns.
Subaltern with riding horse.
Serjeant.
4 corporals.
12 other ranks.
Batman groom.
4 anti tank guns.
-These were in fact anti tank rifles.


Headquarters 3rd Group. Administrative.
Quartermaster with riding horse.
Transport Officer with riding horse.
Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant.
Company Quartermaster Serjeant.
Butcher.
Postman.
Pioneer serjeant.
8 Pioneers.
-2 pioneers to be trained in water duties.
-2 pioneers to be trained in sanitary duties.

Trades included:
2 Bricklayers.
4 Carpenter and joiners (pioneer serjeant was a carpenter and joiner).
Mason.
Painter and decorator.
Plumber and gasfitter.
Regimental police serjeant.
4 regimental police.
Quartermaster storeman.
Quartermaster clerk.
Wing storeman.
Wing clerk.
3 Farriers.
Saddler.
7 Lewis gunners with 2 Lewis guns for AA defence.
Transport serjeant with riding horse.
Transport corporal with riding horse.
48 drivers for vehicles.
4 drivers for spare horses.
5 spare drivers.
-Drivers include two corporals.
Serjeant cook.
3 cooks.
2 batmen grooms for Quartermaster and Transport Officer.
Groom for Transport Serjeant and Transport Corporal.

Attached.
Chaplain.
Chaplains batman.
Medical Officer.
Staff Serjeant Armourer RAOC.
Serjeant armourer RAOC.
7 drivers IC RASC. From divisional RASC.

Headquarters Transport.
21 bicycles.
1 Maltese cart for medical supplies. 1 light draught horse.
2 Maltese carts, water tank. 4 light draught horses.
1 Maltese cart for officer’s mess. 1 light draught horse.
4 light GS wagons for Small Arms Ammunition. 8 light draught horses.
1 light GS wagon for AA Lewis guns. 2 light draught horses. Also carries grenades.
1 light GS wagon for tools. 2 light draught horses.
1 light GS wagon for signal stores. 2 light draught horses.
1 kitchen wagon. 2 heavy draught horses.
2 pack mules for small arms ammunition.
6 spare horses.


Machine Gun Company.
Headquarters and four sections,
Headquarters,
Major or Captain with a riding horse.
Captain, Second in Command.
Company Serjeant Major.
Company quartermaster serjeant.
Clerk.
Storeman
3 cooks.
Batman groom
Batman.
4 Machine Gun Sections each.
Subaltern with riding horse.
2 serjeants.
4 corporals.
2 rangetakers.
30 privates including six trained scouts.
Batman groom.

Transport.
8 four horse wagons.
4 two horse wagons.
40 light draught horses.


3 Rifle Companies each.
Headquarters and four platoons.
Headquarters,
Major or Captain with a riding horse. Only one company had a major in command.
Captain, second in Command.
Company Serjeant Major.
Company quartermaster serjeant.
Clerk
Storeman.
3 cooks.
Batman groom.
Batman.

Transport.
4 horse wagon.

4 Platoons, each:
Headquarters.
Subaltern.
Serjeant.
Batman who also acts as orderly.

4 sections, each:
8 men.
-Two sections include a corporal.


RASC provide six 30cwt lorries.
-2 for baggage.
-2 for greatcoats.
-2 for supplies.


Note:
At this time, and up until the outbreak of war, officers were allowed one horse provided by the army together with fodder and a groom. Officers were also allowed one privately owned horse to be kept at the army’s expense. This applied even after mechanisation. Perhaps the War Office feared mass resignations if this privilege was withdrawn.

Mike

 

LIGHT BRIGADE RA. 1930.
Horse drawn or pack animal.

Headquarters and three batteries.

A thought on the use of the word ‘Brigade’ for a unit consisting of several batteries.

Historically the tactical units of the British Army were battalions of infantry, regiments of cavalry and batteries of artillery. As armies grew larger it was necessary to introduce an intermediate level of command between the army commander and the unit. Thus on campaign brigades were formed, each containing three or four battalions, regiments or batteries as appropriate. Infantry and cavalry brigades were commanded by a general officer while the smaller artillery brigade was commanded by a colonel.

In 1938 the Royal Regiment of Artillery was undergoing reorganisation. It was being greatly enlarged by the creation of a strong anti aircraft defence. There would now be two branches:
Field Artillery which consisted of regiments of Horse Artillery, Field Artillery and Medium Artillery.
Anti Aircraft Artillery.

The title ‘Royal Regiment of Artillery’, although officially remaining, became redundant in normal use and ‘regiment’ was adopted as the unit designation of the previous ‘brigade’, thus we have Artillery Regiments from 1938.

The 3.7” howitzer was developed as a mountain howitzer, capable of being carried on mules, mainly for service in India. For the mountain role it could be dismantled into eight loads. In the 1920’s it was used by the Light Batteries and Light Brigade as an infantry close support weapon. It was replaced by the 3” mortar which was manned by infantry.

In the UK light batteries formed light brigades, each of three batteries, to be used as infantry support weapons.

Headquarters.
Lieutenant Colonel.
Adjutant.
Regimental Serjeant Major. WO I.
Serjeant artillery clerk.
Bombardier clerk.

Tradesman.
11 gunners.
5 drivers RA.

Attached.
Medical officer.
Veterinary officer.
Batman.
Chaplain.
Batman.
2 drivers IC from Divisional RASC.

Horses.
2 for Lieutenant Colonel.
2 for adjutant.
1 for Regimental serjeant major.
3 for drivers RA.
1 for Medical Officer.

Vehicles.
Maltese cart for medical supplies. + Draught pony.
Cart for officers mess. + Draught pony.
Motor van RASC for baggage.
Motor van RASC for supplies.

3 X Battery each.
Headquarters.
Major.
Captain.
Battery Serjeant Major. WO II.
Battery quartermaster serjeant.
Serjeant.
2 bombardiers.
7 tradesmen.
28 gunners.
20 drivers RA.
2 trumpeters.

Attached.
2 drivers IC from divisional RASC.

Horses.
8 riding horses including
-2 for major.
-2 for captain.
-1 for Battery Serjeant Major.
-1 for Battery Quartermaster Serjeant.
-1 for serjeant.
-1 for corporal.

13 for gunners including
-4 for signallers.
-3 for range takers.
-2 for trumpeters.
-2 for horse holders.
-2 for orderlies.

25 for drivers RA including.
-2 heavy draught horses.
-6 light draught horses.
-17 draught or pack ponies or mules.

Vehicles.
4 Wagons limbered for battery command.
4 wagons limbered for Gun Position Officer.
Cart for officers mess. + horse.
Cart, travelling Kitchen. + horse.
2 light lorries RASC for supplies.
1 light lorry RASC for baggage.

2 X section of two 3.7” howitzer per battery. Each:
2 subalterns.
2 serjeants.
6 bombardiers.
2 tradesmen.
25 gunners.
25 drivers RA.

Horses.
2 for subalterns.
1 for serjeant.
1 for tradesman.
7 for gunners.
14 for drivers RA.
18 draught.

Vehicles.
6 wagons for ammunition. + 12 horses.
1 wagon for stores. + 2 horses.

Ammunition.
Each wagon or forepart carries 30 rounds.
Each mule carries 8 rounds.

To convert all guns to pack will require in addition fourteen mules and fourteen drivers per section. Twelve for guns and two for stores.

Mike

 

Cavalry Regiment 1929.

It was accepted that the traditional role of the cavalry charging the enemy was no longer practicable in the face of machine guns. However it still had a limited role in reconnaissance but its main role was now to be that of mounted infantry. Shades of the old dragoon concept. A cavalry regiment actually was more mechanised than the infantry battalion. There were no horse drawn vehicles.

The regiment consisted of a Headquarters Wing, a machine gun squadron and two sabre squadrons.

Headquarters.
First Group. Tactical Headquarters.
Lieutenant Colonel. Officer Commanding with two riding horses.
Major, Second in Command with two riding horses.
Adjutant with two riding horses.
Regimental Serjeant Major with horse.
Intelligence Officer, Subaltern with two riding horses.
Signal Officer, Subaltern with two riding horses.
Signal Serjeant.
15 Signallers.

10 horses
2 cars 2 seat
4 motorcycles

Farrier Quartermaster Serjeant with horse.
Serjeant trumpeter with horse.
Provost serjeant with horse.
4 regimental police with 4 horses.
Medical Officers orderly.
12 batmen with 12 horses, including for Medical Officer and RSM.


Headquarters 2nd Group. Administrative.
Quartermaster with car 2 seater.
Transport Officer with car 2 seater.
Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant
Squadron Quartermaster Serjeant.
15 AA gunners with six Hotchkiss AA guns. Includes 3 corporals.
2 saddlers.
Saddle tree maker.
Serjeant clerk.
2 clerks.
Postal corporal.
4 water dutymen.
Sanitary dutyman.
Storeman.
Serjeant cook.
2 cooks.
2 batmen.
Band serjeant.
Band corporal.
24 bandsmen.
-All band personnel trained in first aid.
Transport Serjeant, driver IC with motorcycle.
Transport corporal, driver IC with motorcycle.
11 Drivers IC including:
-2 for cars 2 seat for QM and TO and spare drivers for headquarters and squadrons.

Attached.
Chaplain with horse.
Chaplains batman with horse.
Medical Officer with horse.
Veterinary Officer RAVC with two horses.
Veterinary officer’s batman with horse. Trained in veterinary duties.
Staff Serjeant Armourer RAOC.
Serjeant armourer RAOC.
3 fitters RAOC.
Electrician RAOC.
Carpenter and Joiner RAOC.
4 drivers IC RASC.

In the regiment as a whole six of the corporals may be lance serjeants and twenty two troopers may be lance corporals.

Headquarters Transport.
6 motorcycles.
6 cars, two seat.
7 light 6 wheel GS lorries for:
-Artificer personnel and equipment.
-Medical and veterinary equipment.
-Small Arms ammunition for automatic weapons.
-Officer’s mess.
-Rations and hot food container.
-2 spare.
2 water tank trailers.

Attached from divisional RASC
4 light 6 wheel GS lorries.
-2 for baggage.
-2 for supplies.

The six Hotchkiss AA guns and crews were carried in the regiments 1st line transport. A corporal was in charge of each pair of guns.


Machine Gun Squadron.
Headquarters and three troops.
Headquarters,
Major with two horses.
Captain, second in command.
Squadron Serjeant Major.
Squadron quartermaster serjeant.
Clerk.
Storeman.
3 cooks.
3 Batmen with one horse.
2 motorcyclists with motorcycles.
2 sanitary duty troopers with 2 horses.
24 drivers IC.


3 Machine Gun Troops each:
Subaltern with two horses.
2 serjeants.
2 corporals.
2 rangetakers.
24 troopers.
2 batmen.
Motorcyclist with motorcycle.

4 machine guns.

Anti Tank Troop.
Subaltern.
2 serjeants.
4 corporals.
26 troopers.
2 batmen.
Motorcyclist with motorcycle.
4 AT guns.

The allocation of vehicles is not given but seems to be:
20 light 6 wheel GS lorries.
-12 for weapons and crews.
-6 for ammunition.
-1 for headquarters.
-1 for officer’s mess.

This would give each machine gun and crew a vehicle and an ammunition vehicle to every two machine guns. In this case there is no provision for the anti tank guns. It seems from other documents that the arrangements for transporting anti tank guns had not been decided and that there were in fact no anti tank guns available. It was planned that both infantry and cavalry would be provided with anti tank rifles but even these were not available at this time.

It was planned that the Oerlikon 20mm Anti Tank gun would be provided. This was a development of a German WW1 design taken over by the Swiss firm. At 150lb the barrel and breech assembly it was too heavy for manhandling.

3 light 6 wheel GS lorries from RASC.
-1 for baggage.
-2 for supplies.

No one at this time thought it odd to mix horses and motor transport. Horses were used by officers for transport and liaison etc, and had as good or better cross country performance as motor vehicles. Road speed for motor vehicles was generally slow.


2 Sabre Squadrons each:
Headquarters and four troops.
Headquarters.
Major with two horses.
Captain with two horses.
Squadron serjeant major with horse.
Squadron quartermaster serjeant.
Farrier serjeant with horse.
Saddler.
2 Trumpeters with two horses.
2 motorcyclists with 2 motorcycles.
Clerk.
Storeman.
2 sanitary duty troopers.
4 drivers IC.
4 cooks.
4 batmen with 4 horses.

4 troops each:
Subaltern with two horses.
Serjeant with horse.
3 corporals with horses.
Farrier with horse.
28 troopers with 28 horses.
2 batmen.

Attached
3 drivers IC RASC.

Transport.
2 motorcycles.
4 light 6 wheel GS lorries.
-1 for small arms ammunition and tools.
-2 for spare equipment.
-1 for officers mess.
3 light 6 wheel GS lorries from RASC.
-1 for baggage.
-2 for supplies.

Mike.

 

DEVELOPMENTS IN CAVALRY IN THE INTERWAR PERIOD.

The story of the cavalry between the wars is a complex one, as different plans were made for their mechanisatio. The plans were generally put to the test in the annual manoeuvres and then changed as they proved unworkable.
In the early 1920s the cavalry on Home Establishment consisted of:

1 Cavalry Division
- No 1 Cavalry Brigade
- No 2 Cavalry Brigade
- Five divisional cavalry regiments.

All the cavalry regiments were organised identically and could rotate their roles. Motor transport was limited to a small number of administrative trucks, cars and motorcycles.

There were also Yeomanry units which would, on mobilisation, form divisional cavalry for the Territorial Army divisions and for 2 Cavalry Division.

In 1926 the cavalry regiments in the cavalry brigades were to be re organised. Their role had now become one of mounted infantry and the new organisation gave them more firepower to enable them to carry out the new role. Instead of the uual three sabre squadrons the third squadron was to be a fully motorised machine gun squadron. This would have:
8 Vickers Medium Machine Guns.
4 30cwt 6 X 4 lorries for the Medium Machine Guns.
2 30cwt 6 X 4 lorries for command and ammunition.
2 motorcycles with sidecar
1 motorcycle
Officers were allowed to keep their chargers.

At the same time regimental headquarters was motorised with
8 30cwt lorries, 6 X 4.
2 motorcycles with sidecars.
2 motorcycles.
Officers, orderlies and trumpeters remained mounted.

In 1930 Austin 7 tourers were added for reconnaissance and liaison and Carden Loyd Machine Gun Carriers were issued to the MMG squadron.

By 1932 it was realised that horses and motor vehicles were incompatible and the cavalry brigades were now to each have:
Two Cavalry Motor Regiments with men carried in light trucks
One Cavalry Light Tank Regiment.

Before this could be implemented the proportions were reversed to give:
One Cavalry Motor Regiment with men carried in light trucks
Two Cavalry Light Tank Regiments.

Again before the changes could be implemented it was announced that the brigades should have a mechanised infantry battalion instead of the motorised cavalry, which now disappeared from the scene.

Gradually cavalry regiments were converted to armoured car regiments and light tank regiments and eventually to armoured regiments with cruiser tanks. In keeping with tradition junior regiments converted first and at the outbreak of war the more senior regiments still had their horses.

A fully equipped cavalry horse.





Photos from the Imperial War Museum archive.

Mike.

 

Horse Drawn Vehicles.
Horse drawn vehicles were almost entirely built of wood with iron fittings. Wheels were also of wood with iron rims which held the wheel together and prevented damage and wear to the wheel’s woodwork. A wooden vehicle was fairly cheap to make and lasted well, but horses were expensive to buy and to maintain.

Travelling Field Cooker.
Drawn by two heavy draught horses.
Rear Body Section. Stove and four boiler compartments. Could prepare hot meals for 250 men and keep food hot. Could be used on the move so that a marching column could be fed when they halted. The rear section could be towed by motor vehicles.
Front Limber. Carried rations, fuel and cooking/serving equipment.





Limbered GS Wagon. (Light)
Consisting of two two wheeled units giving greater cross country mobility and flexibility. The bodies of each unit were identical but the rear one had a seat for a brakeman. There was no onboard driver. Drawn by two heavy draught horse.





GS Wagon. (Heavy).
A four wheeled wagon built in several Marks, the latest being the Mark XI of 1905. Driver and mate sat on a sprung seat at the front. Drawn by four draught horses.





Water Tank Cart.
Basically a Maltese Cart with a flat platform body mounting a galvanised iron water tank. Could carry 113 gallons of water. Most fitted with filters. The tank could be covered with a heavy tarpaulin lined with cloth. This cover was intended to protect the iron tank from lightening. Drawn by two light draught horses.




Maltese Cart.
A light general purpose cart drawn by one light draught horse. As for water tank but with slatted body.
In basic form it had slatted sides and floor. It could be boarded and adapted for various roles including general supplies, medical supplies or entrenching tools. Could carry 15cwt.


There were many variations on these basic vehicles but like the later motor vehicles they consisted of different bodies on the basic frames.

Mike.

Next:
Experiments in Mechanisation.

 

EXPERIMENTS IN MECHANISATION.

The intention to form and test mechanised units was announced in 1919 but it was some years before the vehicles were available. In 1921 the forming of an experimental mechanised brigade was recommended but again the vehicles and units did not yet exist. In 1922 exercises were held with Royal Tank Corps units acting in the infantry support role, but using the old Medium C tanks. In 1923 the same infantry support exercises were held but with one company of the then new Vickers Medium tanks. The exercises of 1924 had to be cancelled because of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease. The exercises were held elsewhere but without the use of tanks (though some horse drawn carts labelled ‘Tank’ were used).

The exercise of 1925 was to be altogether larger and there were now sufficient Vickers Medium tanks to equip two Royal Tank Corps battalions, the 2nd and the 5th. Some 40,000 men took part, enough to provide each force with an infantry division, a cavalry brigade, a tank battalion plus motorised infantry and air support, provided by Army Cooperation Squadrons RAF. It was hoped that the exercise would test the new tanks under battle conditions. In the event after some preliminary exercises the planned three day exercise had to be curtailed because of torrential rain. This made movement off road very difficult, prevented air support and the two forces had to start too close together to allow any manoeuvre. Thus the exercise was again one of infantry support at walking pace.



THE EXPERIMENTAL MECHANISED FORCE. 1927.

5 Battalion Royal Tank Corps.
3 Battalion Royal Tank Corps.
9 Field Brigade, Royal Artillery.
9 Light (Pack) Battery, Royal Artillery.
17 Field Company, Royal Engineers.
2 Battalion Somerset Light Infantry. Machine Gun.
The relevant War Establishment tables for the above units taking part in the exercise will be posted.

Salisbury Plain.
Salisbury Plain is a chalk plateau covering some 300 square miles. It lies on the border of Wiltshire and Hampshire. The surface is dry, well drained grassland and although there are undulations and dry river courses there are no rivers on the plain itself today. There are rivers around it, the Wylie to the south west, the Bourne to the east, the Hampshire Avon to the east and the Bristol Avon to the north west.

The Plain has many ancient remains, barrows, henges, forts and Roman roads. There are a number of inhabited villages and hamlets and two main roads.

The first army exercises were held on the plain in 1898 and large areas of land have been bought by the War Office. About one third of the plain is closed to the public and access to the remainder is restricted. Military camps and airfields have been built on the plain and around it.

In 1927 the area was really too small to allow for realistic mechanised exercises. These needed more space, especially for approach marches so that the starting points for exercises were often outside the area, on public roads and going through towns and villages.

One disadvantage of the annual use of the plain for large exercises was that officers came to know the lay of the land in greater detail than would be likely in real battles.



The Experimental Mechanised Force.
The Experimental Mechanised Force was formed in 1927 to experiment with methods of using a mobile force and assessing its strengths and weaknesses. The various components had been conducting their own trials with new equipment and methods and in August they came together to carry out larger trials and manoeuvres on the plains around Aldershot. Crude as the methods and equipment may seem today nothing quite like this force had been seen anywhere before.

In August the force was to practise handling techniques, movement by road and establishing a night camp. In September it was to carry out mock battles with rules and umpires.

The first part of the programme included the following:
The force was to make a day’s march of thirty miles by road. Given the state of roads at the time and the mechanical fragility of some of the equipment this was quite ambitious. There was a fast group, consisting of units whose vehicles were wheeled or half tracked, which was to press ahead at ten miles per hour. A slow group contained units with tracked vehicles which was to follow at seven miles per hour. This proved to be possible but required good march discipline and a system of passing and acknowledging signals. It was demonstrated that the clearance of road blocks would not normally cause delays if the above conditions were met. There was a tendency for the faster vehicles, usually the armoured cars, to move ahead at more than the stipulated ten miles an hour and thus lose contact. This march also demonstrated the vulnerability to air attack of columns on roads.

A night march was to be made at the same speeds as above and partly across country. Vehicles were to use rear lights as a guide for the following vehicles but only the leading vehicle in each group was to use headlights. This movement presented no great problems.

The vulnerability of the force to attack by conventional enemy forces was tested both on the move and in night bivouacs. It was found that the column was vulnerable when on the move and had insufficient protection. However the force was able to defend itself when in night bivouac.


The second part of the programme involved a mock battle over a wide area.
For the mock battle two opposing forces, Eastland and Westland, started some 35 miles apart. The Mechanised Force was Eastland while 3 Infantry Division plus a cavalry Brigade were Westland. Eastland started from Micheldever in Hampshire while Westland started from Heytesbury in Wiltshire. Westland’s objective was to take the high ground around Andover and Eastland was to stop them.

The Rolls Royce armoured cars of 3 Battalion, Royal Tank Corps were able to move forward at considerable speed. They were supposed to limit their speed to 25 miles an hour but had travelled some 40 miles in the first hour to gain possession of a number of bridges, evading enemy cavalry patrols on the way. The way was thus open for the main body of the force to cross all the major rivers in the area.

The tanks first made for the airfield at Old Sarum, just north of Salisbury, but were spotted by reconnaissance aircraft and attacked by bombers. Reports came in of the progress of the enemy main force and the tanks moved off. They became held up when a tank broke down in a narrow sunken country lane. This took some time to sort

out and then the tanks moved off towards Yarnbury Castle while the armoured cars followed the main road to Chitterne. They met the enemy head on and brought them to a halt. Unseen in the hills to the south the tanks and artillery of Eastland prepared to attack. In the evening the long infantry columns of Westland were attacked by low flying aircraft. The aircraft made the defending artillery their main target while the tanks came down from the ridge in three waves, firing on the move. Westlands forces broke and ran.

Overnight Westland stole a march while the mechanised force went into laager for the night. Westlands move was detected by the reconnaissance units but since they did not have wireless the information was sent by despatch rider. The despatch riders motorcycle broke down so the message was delayed. By the time the tanks were aware of the situation and caught up half of Westlands forces were over the River Avon. They were contained by tankettes and armoured cars which had detoured through Amesbury, crossed the river and forced the enemy infantry to take shelter in the woods.

The tanks attacked the remainder of the Westland force, still on the west side of the river, and although Westland put up a defence they were forced to take cover in the woods where they were attacked by Eastland’s aircraft. The umpires deemed that Westland had won since they were in occupation of the objective. Had the exercise continued into a third day they may not have remained there but the exercise ended and the lessons were studied.
The lessons learned included:

It was thought that one advantage of a mobile force would be the ability to move rapidly and envelope a larger conventional enemy force on the move. This was tested and found to be possible but it was difficult to maintain a cordon. Either the force would need more infantry or conventional forces would need to move rapidly to hold positions gained.

The ability of the force to harass and check a larger conventional force moving across its front was tested. In this trial the force did not use sufficient speed and the enemy force escaped.

The ability of the force to carry out attacks on strongly defended positions was tested. Predictably perhaps it was found that the success of such attacks depended on the enemies siting and handling of defensive anti tank guns.

The force was found to be successful in the rear guard role. It was able to use its mobility to cause the enemy to deploy earlier than it wished and then to choose its own time to break off the engagement. These are classic rear guard tactics.

The ability of the force to check the advance of a larger conventional force was tested. It was found that this could be done successfully except when the enemy force was in a tank proof locality.

There was no opportunity to test the tank versus tank tactics since only Eastland had any. This would be tested in later years. However it was held by the Royal Tank Corps that the tank was the best means of combatting enemy tanks. The infantry rightly pointed out that since tanks were not always available they had little protection. At the time the only anti tank guns were in the hands of the Royal Artillery and were simply 18pdr field guns. The gunners had some training for the anti tank roles and ideally the guns would be towed by motor vehicles.
There was little urgency since there appeared to no potential enemy except the Pathans and Afghans on the NW Frontier of India. No one had a modern tank except Britain.

Mike.

 

1928 Experimental Armoured Force.
This was the Experimental Mechanical Force with a new title and the addition of a signals company to maintain communications and reduce reliance on motorcycle despatch riders.

Various small exercises were held to examine the tactical handling of various combinations of units and equipment in order to find the most effective.

After the exercises the events of the two years exercises were examined by groups throughout the army. The conclusions and opinions were predictable, at least with hindsight.
The force was unbalanced.
The force was too inflexible.
Reconnaissance units needed vehicles with a better cross country performance.
Tanks were too noisy to permit surprise attacks.
Infantry and artillery needed to be more adaptable.


There was considerable resistance to the new ideas, understandably perhaps:

The infantry felt that they did not have a sufficiently large role in the assault and feared being relegated to routine mopping up and defensive roles. British infantry regiments had two or three centuries of tradition and had a strong esprit de corps. To be relegated to a supporting role to a corps which had existed for only a decade did not go down well.

The cavalry had always been the elite. They had provided reconnaissance and assault troops and were adaptable. Now they were torn between being supplanted by the new force or joining it. In fact the tank corps did not favour giving armoured vehicles to the cavalry anyway.

The artillery had become the dominant arm in WWI. Its officers had developed elaborate and efficient fire control and were scientifically and mathematically trained. They did not wish to be subordinate to the new corps.

The commander of the Experimental Mechanised/Armoured Force thought that more consideration should be given to the selection of good ground for a mobile striking force. This is one of the age old and fundamental considerations. The selection of ground for attack or defence, the selection of ‘good going’ for cavalry or tanks is an important consideration. It was also felt that vehicle reliability remained a problem. Mechanical reliability would improve, partly through technological developments but equally through improved operating skills and maintenance. Personnel had little experience of mechanical vehicles outside of their military training. Few vehicles were in private hands in those days.

The GSO1 of 3 Division, which had been the ‘enemy’ in the exercises considered the effect of the armoured force on infantry. Infantry has always feared for the security of its flanks and above all feared being encircled and cut off. The fact that they did not know where the strike force was or where it might attack made infantry formations very cautious. Infantry was also frustrated by the fact that they had little defence against an armoured attack and could not take the initiative to seek and destroy the armoured force. Mobility allowed the armoured force to break off an action and evade any flanking or encircling movement.


1929. Experimental Infantry Brigades.
The Experimental Armoured Force was disbanded after the 1928 exercises and the lessons were studied an discussed by a variety of groups. For 1929 Experimental Infantry Brigades were formed. These brigades had:
-Battalion of Carden Loyd Carriers.
-Experimental divisional cavalry regiment with Austin 7 scout cars.
-Carden Loyd Carriers and 6 wheel trucks for machine guns
-Anti tank guns. These did not exist but were represented by Jowett light cars.

The exercise demonstrated that the vehicles dominated the assault role and the infantry could only mop up and hold the ground taken. It was again reported that there was a danger of demoralisation in the infantry and cavalry.

In this year the booklet ‘Mechanised and Armoured Formations’, generally known as the purple primer, was published. This set out suggested establishment tables for armoured units and suggested a brigade with:

Headquarters.
Signals
3 tank battalions
Anti tank battery
Anti Aircraft battery.

This was to be a compact and homogenous formation with a uniform level of mobility. This would in fact be much the pattern for the next decade with infantry playing little or no part.

Mike.