BRITISH ARTILLERY IN WORLD WAR 2

 SURVEY REGIMENT 1943

Updated 16 June 2014

ORGANIZATION FOR MANŒUVRE

The following tables are taken from the War Establishments for:

The 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.  Batteries had only one Warrant Officer and were over 250 strong.  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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