Just finished their Divisional History and thought some of you would like to read of the supplies need to keep the Division going from Normandy to Hamburg. I thought I'd add this as we discuss the fighting men rather alot and without the Services bringing up the supplies, they can do nothing. The following figures of various types of supplies, used in the Division during the campaign, give some idea of the immense quantities provided by the RASC and RAOC and moved in Divisional RASC vehicles. Rations Field Service Rations 4,325,276 "Compo" Rations 1,720,404 Total 6,045,680 Total Weight 14,363 tons Rum 353,420 rations ( 2,894 Gallons) Ammunition 25 Pdr Gun (various categories) 1,473,165 rds 4.2" Mortar (HE and smoke) 99,666 rds 3" Mortar (various categories) 213,666 rds 2" Mortar (various categories) 97,898 rds Small Arms: Mk VIIIZ 6,179,400 rds .303 (various categories) 8,371,804 rds Sten Gun (9mm) 2,935,700 rds PIAT HE 20,340 rds Grenades (various types) 108,282 rds Mines ,Anti-tank 11,455 rds P.O.L Petrol 4,343,037 Gallons Oil 107,599 Gallons Anti-freeze mixture 7,686 Gallons Grease 20,033 lbs. Replacements (Selection of more common items) Motor Cycles 409 Bren Carriers and Armoured OPs 383 Trucks , 15 cwt 295 Jeeps 263 Socks 113,693 pairs Boots 40,569 pairs Bren Guns 653 3" Mortars 36 25 Pdr Guns 35 Watches 2,317 Leather Jerkins 17,900 Another interesting fact is the 53rd Welsh Divisional Provost Company erected approximately 75,000 signs during the campaign using 150 tons of timber and 3,500 gallons of paint.
Over 6 million ration packs? That's a lot of corned beef! Any idea what the difference is between Field Service Ration Packs and Compo Rations? I wonder if these totals include hot meals served by battalion cooks at field kitchens? It would ne nice to know an estimate also for pounds of tea/tea bags issued. H
Sorry Lee, nothing about that. I can tell you the 53rd Div Postal Unit handled, Incoming Letters 4,533,000 Outgoing Letters 4,195,300 Incoming Parcels 560,275 Outgoing Parcels 81,940 Incoming Registered Items 113,500 Outwards Registered Items 45,195 Incoming Newspapers 823,600 The Divisional Signals laid 7,347 miles of cable. Despatch Rider Services covered 475,114 miles-equivalent of 19 times around the world. Divisional Switchboard worked without a break for 5,952 hours. Telephone Calls averaged 6,773 per week(968 per day or 40 per hour) No. 307 Mobile Laundry and Bath Unit performed the following services for 53rd Div. Men Bathed 309,421 Items Laundered Towels 164,990 Socks 156,101 Shirts 149,844 Drawers 147,733 Vests 80,297
Socks 156,101 Sloppy procedure leading to loss... or a one legged man? EDIT By Owen, pairs of socks I imagine.
Fantastic detail. I'm still working on the MLBU stuff in my spare time. More to it than I thought I must admit. I'm still planning a trip to Kew to look at the war diaries of a couple of units. Is this where you get this sort of detail???? Can I quote the Laundry Quantities given here with any authority? Is there anything you guys can't get hold of (retorical).
Glad it was of interest. You can read it for yourself , easy to get hold of. Few here>> barclay - 53rd welsh - AbeBooks
the divisional signals laid 7,347 miles of cable. Despatch rider services covered 475,114 miles-equivalent of 19 times around the world. Divisional switchboard worked without a break for 5,952 hours. Telephone calls averaged 6,773 per week(968 per day or 40 per hour) Up The Royal Corps !
Owen What were the Div up to here that they needed Heavy Arty support. Rob. Extract from the Diary; 2nd March. 1945. Bright clear day. 09.00 Section of “A” Troop moving to the new position at ELST. 10.30 Warning order re change of command to the 53rd (Welsh) Div. Adjt left for the 49th Div for orders. 11.30 Adjt returned – Regiment to be under command 53rd (W) Div when change over takes place.
Rob, they'd just taken Weeze, should have been relieved by 49th Div but as enemy resistance was crumbling Corps Commander decided to continue applying pressure with 53rd. 160th Bde was clearing woods NE & E of Weeze.
Thanks Owen. That clears up one query I had with some of the Regt sections in the area Kevelaer and Boxmeer and firing on the area of Goch with the others at Elst. Cheers Rob
Any idea what the difference is between Field Service Ration Packs and Compo Rations? I wonder if these totals include hot meals served by battalion cooks at field kitchens? It would ne nice to know an estimate also for pounds of tea/tea bags issued. An unsubstantiated guess at the moment, but I think the Field Service Ration Packs would have gone via (I won't say 'through') the unit cooks whilst compo went to the sharp end; in theory.
