I thought that the following extract from 46 Transport Column RASC war diary (WO171/2252) might be of interest for all of those out there beginning to think about posting Xmas gifts: "Special detail for lifting additional MAIL over Xmas period commenced 3 Dec. 60 x 3-ton of 36 Coy RASC (Army Tpt) being used. Estimated 20 x 3 lift each day. Loads became heavier and detail was increased to 80 x 3-ton on 14 Dec ’44 (all of 36 Coy RASC (Army Tpt)). 34 x 3 of 512 Coy detailed to assist in load on the 25 Dec ’44, when 69 x 3-ton carried 54 x 3-ton mail and 15 x 3-ton Ord Stores. Vehs reduced to 54 on the 27th Dec ’44. Total tonnage MAIL carried 3 – 31 Dec ’44 – tons 1743 – Detail supervised at OSTEND by Capt. M.T. BURNSIDE RASC of this HQ, and at BOURG LEOPOLD by Lieut. Green of 36 Coy RASC (Army Tpt)." Regards Tom
Thanks Tom http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205189096 http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205189097
That is a lot of mail. The huge amount being carried late, even on Christmas Day, was apparently not a result of late posting but bad weather. Fog resulted in air mail being cancelled and even to Cross Channel shipping being delayed. Mail was always given high priority. In Normandy the first mail was scheduled to arrive on D+1 but was delayed until D+2. Mike
I am currently following the 36 Coy Army Transport RASC from landing in Normandy through the coy war diaries, got to September 44 so had to jump forward a few months to find reference to this in the diary. Great to see the 36th get a mention. Tried to upload pages of the diary but they exceed 2MB so too large. Cheers Brian
good day tom Obrien,sm.yesterday.07:50pm.re:xmas mail 1944.that is a lot of mail that you mention,and is only a fraction of all mail at that time of the year.it was great for the morale to receive some news from home.thank you for posting. regards bernard85
good day dbf.yesterday,07:56pm.re:xmas mail 1944.thank you for posting the photo's of troops receiving there xmas mail.they look happy to receive news from home,regards bernard85
Continuing the Christmas theme came across this entry for 9 December in the war diary for 36 Army Transport Coy RASC. "20x6 ton vehicles reported to 107 ACD Brussels to load NAAFI Christmas supplies for various DIDs. Each vehicle to have spare driver to travel with goods to prevent stealing. Detail to last until Christmas." I have seen other reports in the war diary for movement of beer, mild cured bacon, pork etc - was "stealing" as suggested above such a big issue with the movement of goods such as these that it required someone to ride shot gun? Dad was a driver with the RASC and never looked well fed - although there were rumours of chicken rustling. Brian
Brian, I recall reading that when 43 Div was moved up from the Seine to Belgium in preparation for Market Garden, the first Brigade travelled in lorries sitting on rations. After the rations were discovered on arrival to be minus cigarettes, chocolate and tinned pears, the second brigade travelled up sitting on 25 pounder ammunition! Regards Tom
Dad maintained he and others in his platoon had tinned Xmas pudding to eat on the 22/9/44. A pioneer truck full of Teller mines had been blown up, probably by one of their own 25-pounders dropping short. He said they searched through the wreckage and found quite a few tins, already heated up in the explosion. Quite a few of his mates had run out of cigarettes by that time. He was lucky he'd received some from his mother just before MG.
Tom I suppose the way of the world and if someone is daft enough to put temptation in the way..... however sitting on live ammo is one sure way of ensuring concentration and alertness. Brian
