Unit vehicle records - 4 SLI, 43rd Wessex Division,

Discussion in 'General' started by AFluffyAlpaca, Nov 21, 2018.

  1. AFluffyAlpaca

    AFluffyAlpaca New Member

    I was wondering if infantry battalions kept any record of the vehicles they held, and if such records still exist? I am looking for the specific kinds of 3-ton and 15cwt trucks used (e.g specific variants of Bedfords, Fords, CMPs etc) used by infantry battalions in the 43rd Wessex Division in 1944-1945, specifically 4 SLI. I am aware that most records of this kind no longer exist, and the war diaries do not often contain such information. I know that the RAC kept half yearly reports, would there be an equivalent for infantry divisions? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    P.S. I have photos of 4 Wiltshire, who were brigaded with 4 SLI, in Valkenswaard with Bedford MW, is
    it likely that 4 SLI would have used the same?

    P.P.S. In the absence of any such records, what would be some reasonable assumptions about what 4 SLI would have been using when they landed in Normandy in mid-1944?
     
  2. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Ok, some random thoughts:

    - there might be some records related to when they landed in Normandy
    - it does seem quite possible that 4 SLI would have been using the same vehicles as 4 Wiltshire
    - if you could determine the number of the Light Aid Detachment for 4 SLI and then were able to get the War Diary for the LAD, their records would list which vehicles had to be repaired, which would tell you what they were using.
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  3. AFluffyAlpaca

    AFluffyAlpaca New Member

    Thanks so much for your input, Chris!
    With regards to records detailing their landing in Normandy, I've been told by someone else on the forum that loading and landing tables, movement orders and other documents that would have been attached to war diaries have largely been discarded. I'd probably need to get to the National Archives to find out for certain, but given I live in New Zealand, that's going to be an issue!

    The Light Aid Detachment sounds like a promising avenue, although information on which LAD served 4 SLI it is pretty hard to find; the divisional history I have on 43rd Wessex makes no specific mention of individual LADs, only the brigade REME workshops, and the fact that LADs would be gathered in the divisional admin area during mobile operations. Also, I've read on the forum that LADs that served infantry battalions were normally undersized components of a larger LAD attached to brigade, and the personnel referred to instead as "attached tradesmen". In that case, would the brigade REME workshop records be of more use?
     
  4. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    I'm afraid I don't know the answer to this. :( My only knowledge about LADs relates to infantry division anti-tank regiments, which had to change types in order to accommodate tracked vehicles. Well, that and looking at the WD for one Canadian a/tk regiment LAD.

    Infantry brigade workshop records certainly seem like a useful avenue of exploration!
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  5. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

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