In trying to delve into some of the lesser covered aspects of unit organisation and equipment, I've come up blank re an area of my favourite topic, namely the British Infantry Battalion. I know the Battalion Signal Platoon used a variety of communication methods, generally divided into line, wireless and visual. While war radio issue is a bit murky I've realised I've never seen anything re the number of field telephones allotted to an Inf Bn Sig Pl. I've had a look through Joe Brown's site, which gives great detail on the mechanics, but doesn't give an official figure of handsets issued. The closest I can find is 12 for an MG Bn on the 1944/45 scales. It's annoying me more because I've got detail for issue to US, German and even Red Army units, but nowt for ours! Can anyone recommend a period pamphlet or manual of the day that gives a figure, or at least an indication? I know that units added kit wherever they could, but there had to be an official scale. Thanks Gary
Gary My first idea is the G1098 thing, but I don't know where to find them. Never searched for them at Kew, but I know their release, change, ... were published by the A.C.Is. Good luck anyway Aixman
I would take an educated guess at 33-35 - I was my Battalion's Signals Officer nearly thirty years ago, and I base that assessment on one per officer. Regards Frank
I have finally found some detail on this, though from Canadian rather than British sources, however given the level of commonality between the two armies I'm hoping it would hold true for both. Aug1944 details; switchboards UC, line units Mk2, two (marked as spare) and 10-line MkI or MkII, two. Telephone set, D, MkV (Cdn), eight. Also Fullerphones, MkIV, six. Those are all under the Inf Bn Sig Pl, while the Mortar Pl had eight sound powered telephones (pairs), with one per Carrier and one spare. I don't know my signals kit well enough to be sure whether the cable, electric, D3, MkVI was used for the lines, if so there was 8 miles. Oct44 changes; telephones now shown as D, MkV or L, fourteen issued. Nov45 adds six telephone sets but I can't fully read the detail; it might say Telephone sets, H, MkI or MkII, but I'm not sure about the H. Just in case any other poor soul might be interested! Gary
