RASC Drivers North Africa/Italy/Greece

Hello,

I'm currently researching my late Grandfather's war service. He was a Driver with the RASC & saw service with the following units from 1940-1945:

10 Training Centre:
-Cromer

6 Corps Ammunition Park:
-Northern Ireland

64 Bulk Petrol Company:
-North Africa Dec 1942
-Italy Sept. 1944
-Greece Nov. 1944

I have his Soldiers Service & Pay Book which initially revealed some of the above the above & have also recently received his Service Records which have confirmed his units.

I may have identified a War Diary ( National Archives WO175/905) for a 64 Coy RASC in North Africa for Apr-Jun 1943. Can't be sure it is 64 Coy Bulk Petrol though. No other 64 Coys appear to exist in the diaries for that period in North Africa so this one could be it.

Does anyone have any knowledge of the above units?
Could anyone also recommend any good additional sources of information RASC in North Africa, Italy or Greece at the times he was there?

Many thanks for your assistance.

 

Danny Boy,

My great uncle was a RASC driver from 1940-46 in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. Before he died I got him to write his experiences. If these are of interest to you let me know and I could send a copy?

Don

 

Hi Don,

Yes please any broader understanding would be great. If you don't mind I would be grateful for a copy.

Many thanks : )

Dan

 

Hi
There is a single cross reference to the 64th Bulk Petrol Company in one of my fathers unit diaries
WO169-12047 1532 LAA Regt Platoon RASC July August November 1943

02/08/1943

Based then in Megrine, Tunisia
13 x 3 tonners or load supply train at 45 B.S.D Manouba. 11 x 3 tonners on dock clearance at La Goulette docks. 5 x 3 tonners conveying empty barrels to 64 Bulk Petrol Company. 4 x 3 tonners to off load P.O.L train at Kassir Said Station. 6 x 3 tonners conveying personnel from St Germain to Tunis station

Hope that's useful

Graham

 

Hi Danny,

As follows is my GGreat Uncles letter to me some years ago:

My memory at the age of 89 years of age isnt what it used to be, but i will try to narrate some of my experiences. The Italian theatre of war wasnt on my mind when we embarked at Alexandria, we just didnt know where we were bound for, i forget how long it took us not very long i expect, but eventually we arrived at Augusta Syracuse Sicily only then did we realise that Italy was our destination. I was in the Royal Army Service Corps and at that time had a Chevolet lorry, by the time we got there our combat troops had cleared the way for us to proceed without hinderance to Regis Calabria, infact the only enemy we encountered on our way through Sicily were the swarms or mosquitos that no doubt were attracted by the grapes on the vines and the olive trees, we were given some protection by the mosquito nets we were issued. On arriving at Messina, this i do remember! we were given the sad news that some of our Militia in gliders towed by American Pilots had been cast adrift when their aircraft had come under fire. Its sad but these things do happen in war. I forget how long we were waiting for a ship to take us across the straights of messina to Italy but when it did come it wasnt long before we found ourselves in Brindise. We were not far behind our combat troops, if my memory serves me correctly it wasnt the Italian forces we had to contend with, they had been taken care of in the Middle East where they capitulated in there thousands and taken prisoner, no i think it was the Germans who were putting up the resistance.
We did a few jobs while we were in Brindise but it wasnt long before we were on the move again this time to Naples, we were there for about nine months, i should add that before we got to Naples our Company for a short period of time was stationed in the small villiage of Nola at the foot of Mount Versuvius, it was from there that we finnaly moved to Naples and as our work involved moving all kinds of foodstuffs, ammunition ect for all the different units that were in the area, Bailey Bridges to replace those that had been destroyed to hinder our advancement. Our lorries were all kept at the dockside and we were billited adjacent to them, whilst stationed here we came under a horrendous amount of fire as they used to come over and bomb the port, but then again it was nothing compared to what our loved ones were getting back home. I think it was about this time our troops were being held up at that monastry at Cassino and it took a long time for it to fall, when it did it cleared the way for our troops to press on to Rome. It was about then that our Coy was ordered to move on towards Rome and as we went through Cassino the sight was horrific and one could only feel sadness for the men who had lost their lives. There is one place in Italy that i shall always remember, i dont know whether it was before we got to Naples of when we ledt Naples for Rome, The name of the place was Foggia and it was an aerodrome used by the Americans and they used to fly to Brize Norton every night 12 miles from where i lived. It may seem silly to most people but after being away from my family for 3 years i really wondered if i could stow away and get a few days with them, it was only a dream and never came to fruition.
Well we eventually came to Rome, our company was disbanded and i was attached to Headquarters Allied Armies Italy, they gave me a a chevolet truck and my job was too ( as i had mastered a few words of the Italian language) go out to the country side and buy fresh vegetables for the officers mess, this i was pleased at as it gave me lots of freedom. It was during one of these foraging excurtions that i found myself in Anzio only about 12 miles from Rome, that was where a landing party had overcome fierce resistance from the Germans, burnt out Tanks, Lorries and other war material was scattered over miles of the land.
I found out that farmers and peasants who had the goods werent interested in money it had become less valuable during the war, so i got permission to barter with what they wanted.....flour was one thing and petrol was another. That worked out well. Time seemed to be passing quite rapidly, i had been overseas for 4 years and the war was still being fought in Northern Italy. As i was only on detachment to AAI and was still with the Transport Coy when they were ordered to move i had to go with them. This time to a place called Sienna, its a place where they have a annual horse race and sadly to say i wanst there when there was one on. I wasnt in Siennna long before i was called in to see the the C.O. and he told me i was going home under the Python Ruling which meant that nobody should have to serve over 4 and a half years overseas which i had done. So once again i had to see Naples before embarking there on my trip home, the difference this time was that we went through the Mediteranian Sea stopping off at Valetta Malta. The up to the Mersey in Liverpool where after being on the ship for two days we were allowed to make our own way home, a little different to the severn weeks it took us in August 1940 to get to the Middle East. While we were there we swopped one theatre of war for another.


I hope this is of interest to you, Don

 

Thank you Graham - very useful. I knew he had spent time in Tunisia but it's great to have a source locating the unit precisely. Thanks also Don, very informative, my Grandfather also spent a little time in Foggia according to his service record. Thank you both for sharing what you have & helping expand my understanding.

 

Hi Danny Boy

According to the OPERATION MANNA Op Order No.1 (2nd British Expedition to Greece), dated 7th September 1944.

A platoon of 64th Bulk Petrol Company, based in Italy, was to be deployed to Greece, consisting of 76 Personnel and 37 vehicles.

45 Personnel and 30 Vehicles were scheduled to arrive in Greece on D +17 (approx 3rd Nov 1944).
31 Personnel and 7 Vehicles were scheduled to arrive in Greece on D +22 (approx 8th Nov 1944).

Some, if not all, arrived a little earlier than scheduled, as according to the 1st District (Military Liaison) Greece, Location Statement for 28 Oct 1944, has 64th Bulk Petrol Company already established at ROUF Barracks, Athens.

They were originally assigned to 3rd Infantry Corps under Lt Gen Scobie.

Also at ROUF Barracks were the following units.

A detachment of 97th General Hospital (Surgical Team)
140th Ordnance Depot
23rd Armoured Brigade Ordnance Field Park (OFP)
A Detachment of the Raiding Support Regiment (RSR)
Rear HQ 4th Parachute Battalion & Medium Machine Gun (MMG) Platoon.
50th Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) Light Aid Detachment (LAD)
30th Reception Centre (soup kitchens for local populous - 300 meals a day issued)

There's some more info about goings on at ROUF at http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/40814-raoc-bullet-mechanic/

If you are unfamiliar with Greece of 1944, I have attached Field Marshall Alexander's report at http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/45926-new-member-info-search-my-late-father-in-law-sas/

Hope this helps

Gus

 

Hi Gus, many thanks - your information has broadened my understanding of my Granfather's time in Greece. The associated links are also of good value in adding some contextual background. According to my Grandfather's Pay/Passboook he landed in Greece on 08/11/44 which ties in exactly with what you stated. Could you please confirm to me the source that this information you provided is derived from. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge - much appreciated.

 

Hi Danny Boy

WO 204/4962, FORCE 140 Op Instructions (Seaborn Element of Op MANNA).
WO 204/8801, OP MANNA Order of Battle (OOB) and Location Statements.

If you need anything else about Greece, just ask.

Regards

Gus

 

Thanks for this Gus - much appreciated.

 

Hi Dan just come across your posting. My Dad was at 10 DTC Cromer from 1 February 1940 to 28 March 1940 before being posted to his RASC Coy, 13 RMT, initially in Leatherhead.

Your post is the first mention I have seen anywhere of No 10 DTC and wonder if you have any information on location in Cromer and training provided. (As a driver training centre driving seems obvious but any information would be helpful)

Thank you Brian

 

Hi Brian,

I don't have much more information only a mention in his service record confirming he was there & when. What I do have is a brief account of another veterans time there. I located it while searching on the BBC WW2 Peoples War site. Hope this is of use for you:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/13/a4406113.shtml

Best wishes

Dan

 

Dan This is great thank you - puts a bit more "meat on the bones" and helps build a picture of day to day life. Thank you so much Brian

 

Brian, glad it's of use - you're welcome.

Best Wishes

Dan

 

Hi Donny
I was very interested in the letter as some of the dates match my father service.
He left England with convoy WS2 15.08.1940 arriving in Egypt 18.09.1940.
21.10.44 He was with the CMF with ISLD in Greece, Turkey and the Balkans. but was in Rome Feb 1945 and left for the UK from Naples 01.03.1945 arriving UK 12.03.1945

 

Hello Gus,
Please could you assist further?
Do you have anything relating to 331 Armoured Brigade Coy RASC in Greece in December 1944?
See my recent post here for details : http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/52743-331-armoured-brigade-company-rasc-greece-december-1944/

Many thanks

 

Hi

331 Company, Royal Army Service Corps (331 Coy RASC) were 454 strong and part of ARKFORCE.(Brig. Arkwright)

307 of them sailed for OP MANNA (Greece) from Alexandria on board SS Fort Nashwaak (95), HHMS Georgios Averoff (143) and Greek Fleet Tender No.15 (69) arriving in PIRAEUS on 17 Oct 44.

The rest followed within a week. 87 of their vehicles and 95 more on board SS Ocean Messenger.

They spent the first few days at ST Georges bay in a grain store unloading supplies and offloading their trucks and other vehicles.

They supplied vehicles and drivers for a multitude of units but they were based in the Infantry Barracks in Athens. Along with

Rear Headquarters 23rd Armoured Brigade
463rd Battery 104th Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (acting as Infantry)
1238th Field Company Royal Engineers (acting as Infantry)
64th Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) Regiment, Royal Artillery (acting as Infantry)

'A' section, 150th Light Field Ambulance were set up in a building across the road.

Hope this helps

Gus

 

Last year I was researching my father's records and medals. I found what I wanted. He was posted to 173 Coy Eckington 6th June 1940 for driver training. In summary my father was in the RASC as a driver and served in North Africa and Sicily/Italy. He was attached to the Parachute Brigade from November 1943. The letter brings things to life. I decided to visit the area and have just returned from a week around Naples, visiting the usual tourist haunts and going to the summit of Vesuvius. Our guide gave us a good insight into the movement of troops and it is very humbling to think what they would be experiencing. I have a photo of my father (in uniform) outside St. Peter's and also with 'his' lorry and some of his fellow soldiers. Other than that I never knew what his experiences were. I plan to visit Sicily next year. I have a postcard which he sent to me, (postmarked passed by censor) with a view of a Catania street which I think still has the same buildings. Although there is no reference to service in Greece on his service record, there is an entry 'adm 127 Para Fd Amb. 12/12/44 and I have a Christmas card sent from Greece, not dated. One thing from his service records shows that he had an accident with a lorry, no details, but sounded as though it was on rough ground. He had to pay 20 shillings (£1) towards the cost of damage. He carried on driving and was demobilised 26th February 1946 as Driver Class One, with remarks of 'good driver'. He never drove a vehicle after the war!

 

My late grand father (Richard Ashard) told ma a story of him driving a vehicle in Greece and it had direct drive like a bike, so when he turned the wheel to turn right, it span 360 degrees in the middle of the road. He was in Greece at the end of the war and served with the Somerset Light Infantry, 2nd Battalion. Any idea of the type of vehicle he would have been driving??

 

Hi.

2nd Independent Parachute Brigade were in Greece from the middle of October 1944 to the end of Jan 45. Medical support of the brigade was by 127 (Para) Light Field Ambulance (LFA) whilst supply and transport was by 751 (Para) Company RASC.

127 (Para) LFA were based in ROUF barracks at the time your father as admitted. On 14 December 1944, they moved to the university buildings off Korai Street. Three days later 97th General Hospital in Psychiko was cut off and 127 (Para) LFA was the only unit capable of undertaking major surgery in Athens.

ROUF barracks was also the home of 751 (Para) Company RASC and 140 Ordnance Depot, the largest Ordnance Depot in Athens at the time. There is no mention of any accidents but a lots of trucks being shot up whilst transporting stores. Even with tanks escorting the convoys were repeatedly ht by small arms. No casualties noted though.

RASC drivers in Athens suffered almost as many casualties as the Paras during the troubles. The road to Piraeus Harbour was knicknamed "Bomb alley" and the one to Phaleron harbour was nicknamed "the MAD mile".

If you have gained any more info about your fathers time in Greece, I'd love to hear about it. My father was a REME driver based in a workshops at one end of "The mad mile".

Gus