RAC Depot Poona

One of those random finds in the Indian Archives: A History of the RAC Depot Poona. Reference is NAIDLF01004886.

The appendices might be of particular interest to anyone researching the subject, as they list the arrivals of drafts by serial number and date (e.g. RWWXG 15/9/43), and the arrival of various tanks and other vehicles.

 

Thank you for posting details of this File and what a great find. It is extremely useful in providing specific information about the RAC Depot Poona. Extracts from that document are transcribed as follows:

“A memorandum on the History of the RAC Depot POONA 15 Oct 45
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The RAC Depot (India) was constituted on the authority of GHQ (I) letter No 5000/7/A. G. 4. (b) dated 5 August 1942 and the Depot opened on 10 Aug 42, in Elliot Lines POONA the peace barracks of the Indian Cavalry Regiment located in the Poona Brigade Area.

Depot Commander 23 July 1942 Lt. Col. F. W. D. GOOD RTR (Left Depot to assume command of 149 Regt RAC 1 Feb 43)

No information is available regarding the factors, consideration of which led to the decision to form a central RAC Depot. During 1940 and 1941 depots were formed by various armoured units serving in India (3rd Carabiners, 14th/20th Hussars, 25 Dragoons and 26 Hussars). Again in 1942 depots were opened at DHOND for 146, 149 & 150 RAC Regiments which formed the 50th Indian Tank Brigade.

It may be assumed however, that the multiplication of establishments concerned with the handling of RAC reinforcements involved an uneconomical use of man power and intolerable complication of administration.

It would further have been apparent that during the long voyage around the Cape, reinforcements were losing efficiency and that they needed re-training on arrival in India. Again non-tradesmen sent out as reinforcements were useless for crew purposes until trained. A central training establishment was an obvious necessity.

As may be expected, an examination of the Depot Peace Establishment shows that the Depot would be concerned principally with training and holding. This establishment, not strong on the training side, was definitely weak for administration purposes.

An analysis showed that no fewer than 270 officers and 4361 men passed through the Depot on their way to the fighting regiments. The peak occurred between April-July 1945. A detailed analysis was made of drafts from September 1943, onwards until the end of the war. Certain salient points were observed such as the low percentage of Warrant officers and NCOs; the high proportion of Driver Mechanics to other crew trades and the very high proportion of non-tradesman to crew tradesmen.

The rhythm, rate and quality of the intake flow was erratic. The exigencies of postings often exacerbated the interruption of training at the shortest notice and at any stage. It became essential therefore to keep training arrangements fluid and flexible and to enlist every officer or man passing through the Depot to instruct command or administer.

The “vetting” procedure, by which the experience and qualifications of every reinforcement were analysed as part of the training sequence, was the most significant.

The RAC Depot India consisted of a Depot HQ and three Holding Squadrons. Note each Holding Squadron was designed to hold 10 officers and 175 other ranks.

There were three instructional Wings at the Depot, Gunnery, Wireless and D & M. Courses included refresher courses, conversion courses and ab initio courses. Personnel at the Depot included non reinforcements consisting of convalescents, repatriated and personnel on leave but none of these were in significant numbers.

SUMMARY

To summarize, the RAC Depot opened in August 1942 at POONA, a healthy and convenient station and it fulfilled and still fulfils, for the RAC in India, the function of a Depot, a Training Regiment and a Transit Camp”

As pointed out, Appendix “B” and Appendix “C” (RAC Depot Poona 012png, 013, 014 & 015) contain information about Draft Arrivals form the UK and A & B Vehicle holdings. This information would be very useful for researchers seeking specific information relating to Service Records.