BRITISH ARTILLERY IN WORLD WAR 2

 SURVEY REGIMENT 1943

Updated 12 August 2006

ORGANIZATION FOR MANŒUVRE

The following tables are taken from the War Establishments for:

Signal section not shown.

This regiment comprised two identical survey batteries, each with flash-spotting, sound ranging and survey troops and a regimental headquarters that included a third survey troop with the role of airburst ranging of own artillery fire.  The main trade of the regiment's soldiers was Surveyor R.A., with those in flash-spotting and sound ranging troops having additional training in those specific skills.  This organisation was generally called 'composite', the original 1939 organisation comprised three specialist batteries - survey, sound ranging and flash spotting.

Summary Table - Men

 

Lt Col

Maj

Capt

Sub

WO

SNCO

JNCO

Gnr/Pte

Total (excl 1st rft & RAF)

Officers RA

1

3

11

15+4

 

 

 

 

30

Tradesmen RA

 

 

 

 

 

31+1

68+6

188+25

287

Non-tradesmen/unspecified RA

 

 

 

 

4

9

53

197+12

263

RAMC Attached

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

1

ACC Attached

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

17

19

REME Attached

 

 

 

 

 

5

1

2

8

RAF meteorologists

 

 

 

1

 

1

2

2

 

Survey Regiment Totals

1

3

12

15

4

45

124

404

608

Tradesmen REME

 

 

 

 

1

1

3

9

14

LAD Total

 

 

 

 

1

1

3

9

14

Complete Total

1

3

12

15

5

46

127

413

622

 Note: The Quartermaster (a commissioned WO) and Medical Officer could be any rank Subaltern - Major, but are shown as Captains.  The RA non-tradesman NCO allocation could be filled by non-repair tradesmen, excluding Surveyors R.A.

Summary Table - Vehicles and Trailers

Vehicle

Qty

Vehicle

Qty

Motor-cycle, solo

45+1

Truck, 15-cwt, 4×2, water

3

Car, 5-cwt, 4×4

39

Truck, 15-cwt, 4×4, personnel

8

Car, 4-seater, 4×4

3

Lorry, 3-ton, 4×4, G.S.

27

Car, 4-seater, 4×2

1

Lorry, 3-ton, 6×4, machinery, type "Z"

1

Truck, 15-cwt, 4×2, G.S.

9

Lorry, 3-ton, 4×4, stores & tools

2

Truck, 15-cwt, 4×2, G.S. (radio link)

2

Lorry, 3-ton, 6×4, breakdown

1

Truck, 15-cwt, 4×2, personnel

19

Trailer, 10-cwt, 2-wheeled, G.S.

23

Truck, 15-cwt, 4×2, fitted for wireless

28

Trailer, 15-cwt, 2-wheeled, water, 180 gallons

7

Truck, 15-cwt, 4×2, fitted for recorders

2

Travelling platform

4

Truck, 15-cwt, 4×2, office

8

 

 

 Summary Table - Weapons

Weapon

Qty

L.M.G. ·303in

 26

P.I.A.T.

 10

20-mm A.A.

 4

THE ORGANIZATION OF A SURVEY REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS

Group or party

Name of vehicle

Type of vehicle

Personnel

Remarks

Regtl. H.Q. Party

Z

4-seater car, 4×4

C.O.
Batman
Driver I.C.

 

 

S.2.

Sig. Sec 15-cwt.

 

Wireless set

 

M.C.1.

Motor-cycle, solo

C.O.'s orderly  

 

 

Z.2

15-cwt. truck, 4×4, personnel

Major, 2 i/c
2 driver-operators

Wireless set

 

 

Sig. Sec. M.C.

Despatch Ride

 

 

M.C.2.

Motor-cycle, solo

2 i/c's. orderly

 

 

S.3.

Sig. Sec 15-cwt.

 

Wireless set

 

 

5-cwt. car, 4×4

Subaltern
Batman-driver

 

Adjt.'s Party

A.1.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless

Adjutant
Serjeant clerk
Signaller
Batman-driver

Wireless set

 

M.C.3.

Motor-cycle, solo

Adjutant's orderly  

 

 

S.4.

Sig. Sec 15-cwt.

 

Wireless set

 

S.1.

Sig. Sec 15-cwt.

Signal officer

For signal officer when he is not travelling in 2nd i/c's party

 

 

Sig. Sec. M.C

Despatch rider

 

 

 

Sig. Sec. M.C

Signal serjeant

 

 

 

Sig. Sec. M.C

Signal linesman.

 

Regtl. H.Q. Group

 

Motor-cycle, solo

R.S.M.

 

 

A.2.

3-ton lorry, 4×4, G.S.

2 clerks
Sanitary dutyman
Batman
Driver I.C.

Office equipment
2 L.M.Gs.

 

 

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless

3 signallers
2 driver-operators

Wireless set

 

 

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, G.S.
(draws traveling platform)

Serjeant
2 L.M.G. number
Driver I.C.

 

 

A.3.

5-cwt. car, 4×4

M.O.
Batman-driver

 

 

A.4.

3-ton lorry, 4×4, G.S.

M.O's. orderly
Driver I.C.

Medical stores

 

S.5.

Sig. Sec 15-cwt.

Signal section

Mechanical cable layer

 

S.6.

3-ton

Signal office  

 

 

S.7.

3-ton

 

Spare office stores, etc.

 

S.8.

Sig. Sec 15-cwt.

 

Hand cable layer

 

M.C.

Sig. Sec. M.C.

Despatch rider  

 

 

M.C.

Sig. Sec. M.C.

Signal electrician  

 

 

M.C.

Sig. Sec. M.C.

Despatch rider 

 

"B" Echelon

Q.1.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, personnel

Q.M.
R.Q.M.S.
Batman-driver  

 

 

Q.2.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, water

Driver I.C. (trained in water duties)

 

 

Q.3.

3-ton lorry, 4×4, G.S.
(draws traveling platform) 

Technical storeman
Vehicle mechanic
2 L.M.G. numbers
Serjeant armourer, R.E.M.E.
Driver I.C.


L.M.G.

 

Q.4.

3-ton lorry, 6×4, machinery, type "Z"

Armament artificer (wireless) R.E.M.E.
Telecommunication mechanic R.E.M.E.
Armament artificer (instruments, field) R.E.M.E.
2 instrument mechanics R.E.M.E.
Driver I.C. 

 

 

Q.5.

3-ton lorry, 4×4, G.S.

Butchery dutyman
3 cooks, A.C.C.
Driver I.C.

Q.M. stores
Cooking sets
P.I.A.T. 

 

Q.6.

3-ton lorry, 4×4, G.S.

Storeman
Driver I.C.

Petrol.

 

 

Travelling platform

 

20-mm A.A.

 

 

Travelling platform

 

20-mm A.A.

H.Q. Troop H.Q.

R.X.

5-cwt. car, 4×4 (with trailer)

Captain
Serjeant surveyor
Driver I.C. 

 

 

 

Motor-cycle, solo

Orderly

 

 

M.1.

15-cwt. truck, 4×4, personnel

Signaller
2 driver-operators

Wireless set

Obsn Sect

O.X.1.

5-cwt. car, 4×4

Subaltern
Surveyor 
Batman-driver 

 

 

 

Motor-cycle, solo

Orderly

 

 

O.X.2.

5-cwt. car, 4×4 (with trailer)

2 surveyors

 

 

O.X.3.

5-cwt. car, 4×4 (with trailer)

2 surveyors

 

 

O.X.4.

5-cwt. car, 4×4 (with trailer)

2 surveyors

 

 

G.X.1

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, personnel

Serjeant surveyor
4 surveyors
Driver I.C.

 

 

M.2.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, G.S. cable

Driver I.C.

 

Obsn Sect

O.X.5.

5-cwt. car, 4×4

Subaltern
Surveyor 
Batman-driver 

 

 

 

Motor-cycle, solo

Orderly

 

 

O.X.6.

5-cwt. car, 4×4 (with trailer)

2 surveyors

 

 

O.X.7.

5-cwt. car, 4×4 (with trailer)

2 surveyors

 

 

O.X.8.

5-cwt. car, 4×4 (with trailer)

2 surveyors

 

 

G.X.9.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, personnel

Serjeant surveyor
4 surveyors
Driver I.C.

 

 

M.3.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, G.S. cable

Driver I.C.

 

Troop Echelon

Q.X.1

3-ton lorry, 4×4, G.S. (water trailer)

Batman
Water dutyman
2 cooks, A.C.C.
Driver I.C.

Cooking sets
"Q" stores
L.M.G.
P.I.A.T.

 

Q.X.2.

3-ton lorry, 4×4, G.S.

Vehicle mechanic
Storeman
Driver I.C.

Tools and technical stores

LAD REME

 

Car, 4-seater, 4×2

WO Class 1 armament artificer
Serjeant vehicle mechanic

 

 

 

Motor-cycle, solo

Storeman

 

 

 

Lorry, 3-ton, 4×4, stores & tools

Storeman
2 vehicle mechanics
Driver mechanic

 

 

 

Lorry, 3-ton, 4×4, stores & tools

Electrician (vehicle & plant)
Welder
2 vehicle mechanics
Driver mechanic

 

 

 

Lorry, 3-ton, 6×4, breakdown

Vehicle mechanic
Driver mechanic

 

THE ORGANIZATION OF A SURVEY BATTERY

Group or party

Name of vehicle 

Type of vehicle

Personnel

Remarks

Recce. party

R

4-seater car, 4×4

Major
Batman-driver 

 

 

M.C.1.

Motor-cycle, solo

B.C's orderly  

 

 

R.A.

5-cwt. car, 4×4

Captain
Surveyor 
Batman-driver

Obsn Troop Comd

 

M.C.21.

Motor-cycle, solo

Orderly 

 

 

R.B.

5-cwt. car, 4×4

Captain
Serjeant surveyor 
Batman-driver

S. R. Troop Comd

 

M.C.3.

Motor-cycle, solo

Orderly 

 

 

R.C.

5-cwt. car, 4×4

Captain
Serjeant surveyor 
Batman-driver

Svy Troop Comd

 

M.C.4.

Motor-cycle, solo

Orderly 

 

Bty. H.Q. Party

K.1

5-cwt. car, 4×4

Captain
Batman-driver 

 

 

M.C.5.

Motor-cycle, solo

Captain's orderly 

 

 

K.1.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, office

Clerk
Surveyor
Driver I.C 

Office stores
L.M.G.

 

M.1.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless

2 signallers
Gunner (lines & wireless)
2 driver-operators

Wireless set

 

K.2.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, G.S. (draws traveling platform) 

3 L.M.G. number
Driver I.C.

 

 

M.C.6.

Motor-cycle, solo

Battery serjeant-major

 

 

M.C.7.

Motor-cycle, solo

Vehicle mechanic

 

Obsn Sect

O.A.1.

15-cwt. truck, 4×4, personnel

Subaltern.
Driver I.C.

 

 

M.C.8.

Motor-cycle, solo

Orderly

 

 

O.A.2.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, G.S.

2 gunners (line & wireless)
Driver I.C.

 

 

O.A.3.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless

Serjeant surveyor
2 surveyors
2 driver-operators 

 Wireless set

 

O.A.4.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, personnel

5 surveyors
Gunner (line & wireless)
Driver I.C.

 

 

O.A.5.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless

Serjeant surveyor
2 surveyors
2 driver-operators 

Wireless set

 

O.A.6

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, personnel (cable laying)

5 surveyors
Gunner (line & wireless)
Driver I.C

 

 

O.A.7.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless

Serjeant surveyor
2 surveyors
2 driver-operators 

Wireless set

 

O.A.8.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, personnel (cable laying)

5 surveyors
Gunner (line & wireless)
Driver I.C

 

 

O.A.9.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless

Serjeant surveyor
2 surveyors
2 driver-operators 

Wireless set

 

O.A.10.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, personnel

5 surveyors
Gunner (line & wireless)
Driver I.C.

 

Computing Centre

G.A.1.

5-cwt. car, 4×4

Subaltern
Serjeant surveyor 
Batman-driver

 

 

M.C.9.

Motor-cycle, solo

Orderly

 

 

M.C.10.

 

Signalling serjeant. 

 

 

G.A.2.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, office

4 surveyors
Driver I.C.

Office stores
L.M.G.

 

G.A.3.

3-ton lorry, 4×4, G.S.

5 surveyors
Driver I.C.

Technical stores
Plotting

 

G.A.4.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless

2 signallers
2 driver-operators 

2 wireless sets (one ground station)

Obsn Troop Ech

Q.A.1.

3-ton lorry, 4×4, G.S. (water trailer)

Batman
2 cooks, A.C.C.
Water dutyman
Driver I.C.

Cooking set & rations
L.M.G.,
P.I.A.T. 

 

Q.A.2.

3-ton lorry, 4×4, G.S.

Storeman
Driver I.C.

M.T. stores

 

M.C.11.

Motor-cycle, solo

Vehicle mechanic

 

S. R. Obsn & Mic. Sect

O.B.1

15-cwt. truck, 4×4, personnel

Subaltern.
Serjeant surveyor
Driver I.C.

 

 

M.C.12.

Motor-cycle, solo

Orderly

 

 

M.C.13.

Motor-cycle, solo

Surveyor

 

 

O.B.2.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless (radio link)

2 surveyors
Signaller
Gunner (line & wireless)
Driver I.C.

Advanced Post

 

O.B.2.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless (radio link)

2 surveyors
Signaller
Gunner (line & wireless)
Driver I.C.

Advanced Post

 

O.B.3.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless (radio link)

Surveyor
Signaller
Gunner (line & wireless)
Driver I.C.

 

 

O.B.4.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless (radio link)

Surveyor
Signaller
Gunner (line & wireless)
Driver I.C.

 

 

O.B.5.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless (radio link)

Surveyor
Signaller
Gunner (line & wireless)
Driver I.C.

 

 

O.B.6.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless (radio link)

Surveyor
Signaller
Gunner (line & wireless)
Driver I.C.

 

 

O.B.7.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless (radio link)

Surveyor
Signaller
Gunner (line & wireless)
Driver I.C.

 

 

O.B.8.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, G.S.

Signaller
2 gunners (line & wireless)
Driver I.C. 

 

Computing Centre

G.B.1

5-cwt. car, 4×4

Subaltern
Batman-driver

 

 

M.C.14.

Motor-cycle, solo

Orderly

 

 

G.B.2.

 

Signalling serjeant. 

 

 

G.B.3.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, G.S. (radio link)

2 signallers
2 driver-operators 

Wireless set

 

G.B.4.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless

3 surveyors
Signaller
Driver I.C.

Recorders wireless set

 

G.B.5.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, office

Serjeant surveyor
4 surveyors
Driver I.C.

Office stores

 

G.B.6.

3-ton lorry, 4×4, G.S.

2 surveyors
Signaller
Gunner (line & wireless)
Driver I.C.

L.M.G. 

 

G.B.7.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless

4 surveyors
Driver I.C. 

Line laying
P.I.A.T.

 

G.B.8.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, fitted for wireless

4 surveyors
Driver I.C. 

 

 

 

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, office (meteorological section)

Flt Lt/Serjeant RAF
Corporal RAF
LAC RAF
Driver I.C. 

 

S.R. Troop Ech

Q.B.1.

3-ton lorry, 4×4, G.S. (water trailer)

Batman
2 cooks, A.C.C.
Water dutyman
Driver I.C.

Cooking set & rations
2 L.M.Gs.

 

Q.B.2.

3-ton lorry, 4×4, G.S.

Storeman
Telecommunications mechanic R.E.M.E.
Driver I.C.

"Q" and M.T. stores

 

M.C.15.

Motor-cycle, solo

Vehicle mechanic

 

 Svy. Troop HQ

M.1.

15-cwt. truck, 4×4, personnel

Signaller
2 driver-operators   

Wireless set

Svy Sect

O.C..1

5-cwt. car, 4×4

Subaltern
Surveyor
Batman-driver

 

 

M.C.16.

Motor-cycle, solo

Orderly

 

 

O.C.2.

5-cwt. car, 4×4 (trailer)

2 surveyors

 

 

O.C.3.

5-cwt. car, 4×4 (trailer)

2 surveyors

 

 

O.C.4.

5-cwt. car, 4×4 (trailer)

2 surveyors

 

 

G.C.1.

15-cwt. truck, 4×4, personnel

Serjeant surveyor 
4 surveyors
Driver I.C.

L.M.G.

Svy Sect

O.C.5.

5-cwt. car, 4×4

Subaltern
Surveyor
Batman-driver

 

 

M.C.17.

Motor-cycle, solo

Orderly

 

 

O.C.6.

5-cwt. car, 4×4 (trailer)

2 surveyors

 

 

O.C.7.

5-cwt. car, 4×4 (trailer)

2 surveyors

 

 

O.C.8.

5-cwt. car, 4×4 (trailer)

2 surveyors

 

 

G.C.2.

15-cwt. truck, 4×4, personnel

Serjeant surveyor 
4 surveyors
Driver I.C.

L.M.G.

Svy Troop Ech

Q.C.1.

3-ton lorry, 4×4, G.S. (water trailer)

Batman
2 cooks, A.C.C.
Water dutyman
Driver I.C.

Cooking set & rations
L.M.G.

 

Q.C.2.

3-ton lorry, 4×4, G.S.

Storeman
Driver I.C.

"Q" and technical stores
P.I.A.T.

 

M.C.18.

Motor-cycle, solo

Vehicle mechanic

 

Bty. Ech.

Q.1.

3-ton lorry, 4×4, G.S.

B.Q.M.S.
Corporal cook, A.C.C.
Driver I.C.

"Q" stores

 

Q.2.

3-ton lorry, 4×4, G.S.

Serjeant surveyor
Technical storeman
Equipment repairer
Carpenter & joiner
Vehicle mechanic
Driver I.C.

Carpenter's tools
Vehicle mechanic's tools
M.T. stores
2 L.M.Gs.
P.I.A.T.

 

Q.3.

15-cwt. truck, 4×2, water

Driver I.C. (trained in water duties)

 

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