BRITISH ARTILLERY IN WORLD WAR 2

 FIELD REGIMENT 1940

Updated 16 June 2014

ORGANIZATION FOR MANŒUVRE

The following tables are taken from the War Establishment for:

Only the 25-pdr organization is shown the differences for regiments with 18-pdr and 4.5-in are not shown, however, the changes concern the amount and distribution of first line ammunition including a few extra men and vehicles for 4.5-inch.  The abbreviations are those of the original.

Summary Table - Men

 

Lt Col

Maj

Capt

Sub

WO

SNCO

JNCO

Gnr/Pte

Total (excl 1st rft)

Officers RA

1

3

10+1

13+3

 

 

 

 

28

Tradesmen RA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

53

53

Non-tradesmen/unspecified RA

 

 

 

 

16+1

30+2

 

456+35

502

RAMC Attached

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

1

Total Field Regiment

1

3

11

13

16

30

 

509

584

 Notes:
The Quartermaster (a commissioned WO) and Medical Officer could be any rank Subaltern - Major but all are shown as Captains.  
The breakdown of Lance Serjeants, Bombardiers and Lance Bombardiers was not given.  However, 'rank & file' (gunners and JNCOs) included 62 Bombardiers including 22 Lance Serjeants and 447 Gunners and Trumpeters including 28 Lance Bombardiers.  
The LAD RAOC,  Signals Section R Signals and 4 RAF wireless operators are not shown in the summary tables.

Summary Table - Vehicles and Trailers

Vehicle

Qty

Vehicle

Qty

Motor-cycle, solo

29

 

 

Car, 4-seater, 4-wheeled

1

Truck, 15-cwt, 4-wheeled, G.S fitted with hand cable layer

8

Truck, 8-cwt, 4-wheeled, 5-seater

5

Truck, 15-cwt, 4-wheeled, water tank

3

Truck, 8-cwt, 4-wheeled, wireless

16

Lorry, 3-ton, 4-wheeled, G.S.

6

Truck, 15-cwt, 4-wheeled, G.S.

3

Lorry, 30-cwt, 4-wheeled, G.S.

19

Truck, 15-cwt, 4-wheeled, office

1

Carriers, scout

2

Truck, 15-cwt, 4-wheeled, G.S fitted with seats

10

Tractor, F.A.

48

Truck, 15-cwt, 4-wheeled, G.S fitted with mechanical cable layer

2

Trailer, artillery

48

 Summary Table - Weapons

Weapon

Qty

Pistol .38-in

 55

Rifle .303-in

113

Pistol, signal

6

L.M.G .303-in.

 10

A.T. Rifle .55-in

9

25-pdr

24

THE ORGANIZATION OF A FIELD REGIMENTAL H.Q. FOR MANŒUVRE

Group or party

(1)

Name of vehicle
(2)

Sub-unit and type of vehicle
(3)

Personnel

(4)

Normal Frequency
(5)

Remarks

(6)

REGTL. COMD'S. GROUP

Z

H.Q.
4-seater car

Lt.-Col.
Tptr
Dr. I.C.
     Spare seat

 

 

 

M.C.1

H.Q. M.C.

Orderly

 

 

 

Z.2

H.Q
8-cwt truck

Major 2nd -in-command
Signal officer
N.C.O. i/c linemen.
Driver I.C.
    One spare seat

 

 

 

 

Sig. Sec. M.C.

Despatch rider.

 

 

 

A

H.Q.
8-cwt truck 

Adjutant
Bombr. Clerk
Gnr. orderly
Driver I.C.
    Proportion of office gear
    Spare seat

 

 

 

M.C.2

H.Q. M.C.

Orderly

 

 

 

S.2

Sig. Sec (8).

Wireless set

F.6

 

H.Q. RECCE. GROUP

S.3

Sig. Sec (8).

Orderly officer
Wireless set

F.6

 

 

S.4

Sig. Sec (8)

Wireless set

F.5

 

 

S.1

Sig. Sec (8)

Signal officer

 

 

 

 

Sig. Sec. M.C.

Sig. Sjt.

 

 

 

 

Sig. Sec. M.C.

Despatch rider

 

 

 

 

Sig. Sec. M.C.

Signalman linesman

 

 

REGTL HQ GROUP

A.2

H.Q.
15-cwt truck 

R.S.M.
Clerk
Batman to R.S.M
Driver I.C. 

 

 

 

A.3

H.Q.
15-cwt truck 

Bdr. (A.A.)
Gunner (A.A.)
2 R.A.F. W/T operators and set
Driver I.C.
A.A.L.M.G forward mounting. A.Tk. rifle

 

 

 

A.4

H.Q.
15-cwt truck 

Medical officer
Medical orderly
Sanitary duty man
Driver I.C.

 

Medical equipment

 

S.5

Sig. Sec (15)

Cable laying

 

 

 

S.6

Sig. Sec. (30)

Signal office 

 

 

 

S.7

Sig. Sec. (30)

Spare cable lying and stores, etc.

 

 

 

Sig. Sec. M.C.

 

Signalman electrician

 

 

H.Q. MAINTENANCE GROUP

Q.2

H.Q.
30-cwt truck 

R.Q.M.S.
Clerk
Storeman
Driver I.C.
Spare anti-gas capes and res. clothing for H.Q.
Q.M. Stores 

 

i/c Amn. Gps. of Btys., when under Regt. control.

 

Q.3

H.Q.
30-cwt truck 

Sjt. tech. stores.
Tech. storeman
Driver I.C.
M.T. stores
Distribution petrol to H.Q. 

 

 

 

M.C.3

H.Q. M.C.

1 Motor mechanic

 

 

 

L.A.D.

 

 

 

 

H.Q. "B" ECHELON

Q.1

H.Q.
8-cwt truck 

Quartermaster
Clerk
Batman to Qr.-Mr.
Driver I.C. 
    Spare seat 

 

 

 

Q.4

H.Q.
15-cwt truck 

4 Batman
1 Driver I.C.
    Officers' mess 

 

 

 

Q.5

H.Q.
15-cwt truck Water-tank

Water duty man
Driver I.C. 

 

 

 

Q.6

H.Q.
30-cwt truck 

Sjt. cook.
Butcher.
Cook.
2 gunners (A.A.)
Dr. I.C.
    Cooking set 
    Rations 
    A.A.L.M.G. rear mounting 

 

 Cooking sets, wagon line rations.

THE ORGANIZATION OF A FIELD BATTERY FOR MANŒUVRE

Group or party

(1)

Name of vehicle
(2)

Sub-unit and type of vehicle
(3)

Personnel

(4)

Normal Frequency
(5)

Remarks

(6)

BATTERY RECCE GROUP

X

H.Q.
8-cwt truck 

B.C.
O.P.A.
2 sigs. wireless

F.1

O.P.A. to drive

 

M.C.1

H.Q. M.C.

B.C's orderly

 

 

 

K

H.Q.
8-cwt truck 

Captain
2 sigs. wireless
1 dr. I.C.

F.1

 

 

Y.1

H.Q.
15-cwt truck 

C.P.O.
A.C.P.O.
3 surveyors
2 Sigs R/T
1 dr. I.C.

 

Survey equipment

 

Y.2

H.Q.
8-cwt truck 

1 surveyor (range-taker)
3 G.P.Os. or G.P.O.As.
1 dr. I.C.

 

Range-finder No. 13 must travel in an 8-cwt truck.

 

M.C.2

H.Q. M.C.

C.P.Os' orderly

 

N.C.O.

 

M.C.3

H.Q. M.C.

N.C.O. i/c sigs. (Bty.).

 

 

 

M.C.7

H.Q. M.C.

A Tp. B.S.M.

 

M.Cs. 8 or 9 may be substituted for M.C.7 if desired.

 

M.C.4

H.Q. M.C.

W.L.O.

 

Keeps touch with bty. recce. group.  Can travel in H for long journeys.

BATTERY H.Q. "O" PARTY

R.A.

A Tp.
8-cwt truck 

A Tp. Comd.
O.P.A.
2 sigs. wireless

F.1

O.P.A. to drive

 

M.C.5

A Tp. M.C.

Signal N.C.O. A Tp.  

 

 

 

R.B.

B Tp.
8-cwt truck 

B Tp. Comd.
O.P.A.
2 sigs. wireless

F.2

O.P.A. to drive

 

M.C.6

B Tp. M.C.

Signal N.C.O. B Tp.

 

 

BATTERY H.Q. GROUP "G" PARTY

G.A.

A Tp.
8-cwt truck 

G.P.O. or G.P.O.A. A Tp.
2 sigs. wireless
1 dr. I.C.

F.1

Dr. I.C. mans Tp. End of link line until arrival of T.L.A.

 

G.B.

B Tp.
8-cwt truck 

G.P.O. or G.P.O.A. B Tp.
2 sigs. wireless
1 dr. I.C.

F.2

Dr. I.C. mans Tp. End of link line until arrival of T.L.B.

 

G.C.

C Tp.
15-cwt truck 

G.P.O. or G.P.O.A. C Tp.
1 sig. link line
2 R.A.F. W/T operators and set.
2 A.A.L.M.G. gunners 
  A.A.L.M.G. rear mounting.
A.Tk. rifle
1 dr. I.C.

F.1

Dr. I.C. mans Tp. End of link line from Command Post.
R.A.F. operators are probably only carried in one Bty. in Regt.

 

M.1

H.Q.
15-cwt truck 

3 sigs. (Command Post).
2 Sigs. (maintenance)
1 artificer R.A. (C Tp.).
1 dr. I.C.

 

2 maintenance sigs. lay link lines to Tps.3 sigs. at Command Post are:-
Exchange operator.
Message operator.
C.P.O.'s operator.
Truck fitted with hand cable layer.

 

H

H.Q.
8-cwt truck 

2 sigs. wireless
1 clerk
    Bty. office equipment
1 dr. I.C.

 

 

 

M.C.8

B troop M.C.

B Tp. B.S.M.

 

W.O. Class II

 

M.C.9

C troop M.C.

C Tp. B.S.M.

 

W.O. Class II

GUN GROUP

R.C.

C Tp.
8-cwt truck 

C Tp. Comd.
O.P.A.
2 sigs. wireless

 

Acts as Bty. Leader.
O.P.A. to drive

 

M.C.10

H.Q.

M.C.

 

Orderly

 

T.L.A.

A Tp.
15-cwt truck 

A Tp. Leader (W.O. Cl. III)
1 sig, (Tp. end O.P. line).
1 artificer R.A.
1 motor mechanic
2 A.A.L.M.G. gunners
    A.A.L.M.G. rear mounting.
A.Tk. rifle.
1 Driver I.C

 

Motor mechanic to drive.

 

M.2

H.Q.
15-cwt truck 

1 sig. (O.P. telephonist).
2 sigs. (maintenance).
1 orderly
1 dr. I.C

 

Orderly trained in line maintenance duties.
Truck fitted with hand cable layer.

 

 

A Tp. tractors.

4 gun tractors and 2 amn tractors.
    Personnel as allotted

 

 

 

T.L.B.

B Tp.
15-cwt truck 

B Tp. Leader (W.O. Cl. III)
1 sig, (Tp. end O.P. line).
1 artificer R.A.
1 motor mechanic
2 A.A.L.M.G. gunner. 
    A.A.L.M.G. rear mounting.
A.Tk. rifle.
1 Driver I.C

 

Motor mechanic to drive.

 

M.3

H.Q.
15-cwt truck 

1 sig. (O.P. telephonist).
2 sigs. (maintenance).
1 orderly
1 dr. I.C.

 

Orderly trained in line maintenance duties.
Truck fitted with hand cable layer.

 

 

B Tp. tractors. 

4 gun tractors and 2 amn tractors.
    Personnel as allotted

 

 

 

M.C.11

C Tp. M.C.

C Tp. Leader (W.O. Cl. III)

 

 

 

 

C Tp. tractors.

4 gun tractors and 2 amn tractors.
    Personnel as allotted

 

 

 

T

H.Q. carrier-scout

1 dr. mechanic

 

An officer, 2 sigs. (wireless) and wireless set to be transferred to this when required.

 

M.4

H.Q.
15-cwt truck 

1 sig. (O.P. telephonist).
1 sig. (maintenance).
2 A.A.L.M.G. gunners
    A.A.L.M.G. rear mounting.
A.Tk. rifle.
1 dr. I.C.

 

Orderly trained in line maintenance duties.
Truck fitted with hand cable layer.

 

M.5

.H.Q.
15-cwt truck 

1 sig. (O.P. telephonist).
2 sigs. (maintenance).
1 orderly
1 motor mechanic (C Tp.).
    1 switchboard 10-line.1 dr. I.C. 

 

Orderly trained in line maintenance duties.
Truck fitted with mechanical cable layer.

 

 

H.Q.
30-cwt truck 

2 sanitary duty men.
1 dr. I.C.
    Spare anti-capes and reserve clothing 

 

 

 

M.C. 12

H.Q. M.C.

B.S.M.

 

Assists B.L. in controlling gun group

 

M.C. 13 

H.Q. M.C.

1 artificer R.A.

 

 

AMMUNITION GROUP

 

H.Q.

2 30-cwt. lorries (amn.).Personnel as allotted

 

May often join gun group

 

 

H.Q.

2 3-ton lorries (amn.).Personnel as allotted

 

Amn. groups normally under regt. control

 

 

H.Q.

1 30-cwt lorry.
    Distribution of petrol.
Personnel as allotted  

 

 

"B" ECHELON

 

H.Q.

2 15-cwt. trucks and 4 30-cwt.lorries
Personnel as in W.E. except that 1 batman shown in W.E.. 15-cwt. Truck 1 is now in 30-cwt lorry 5, replacing 1 artificer R.A. who is now on M.C.13

 

 

Figures in (brackets) in colm 3 refer to cwt.

Directory

Top

Copyright © 2001 - 2014 Nigel F Evans. All Rights Reserved.