Divisional Support Troops question

Discussion in 'Trux Discussion Area' started by Neil Thornton, Feb 6, 2021.

  1. Neil Thornton

    Neil Thornton Member

    So, an Infantry Division has 11 Light Aid Detachments (LAD), each task to a formation or unit. My question is, Was this a Fixed, Semi-fixed, or Open relationship?

    To me an open one, would mean different crew and equipment would be dispatched as required, and the LAD just becomes part of the workshop.

    A fixed one, the LAD would stay and move with the supported unit, calling on the workshop as needed.

    And a semi fixed one would mean the LAD stayed as long there was work, and if possible, be dispatched back (same crew and equipment) when needed.

    I am asking to try to figure out how the British Army worked its supporting services in theory. I understand that like all theory in war, "The hell with the book. make it work!!" applies to any answer.

    I would also assume that the same relationship would be applied to all the support units. (RE, R Sig, RAMC, RASC, RAOC, etc.). I.E., a Brigade would always have the same units assigned under a fixed or semi-fixed, but not under an open one.

    thanks for reading
    Neil
     
  2. idler

    idler GeneralList

    As per your definitions, the LAD was 'fixed' to its unit.

    Brigades were a lot more flexible and units could be attached and detached quite frequently, including other arms to create 'brigade groups'. Even armoured divs' REME workshops could be withdrawn from their parent brigades and coordinated as divisional units, typically to leapfrog each other during an advance so there was always one foot on the ground.
     
  3. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

  4. Neil Thornton

    Neil Thornton Member

    Thanks Guys. What I tiring to figure out / understand is how the support units track with the changes in OOBs. For example when on 17 August 1944, the 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars joined the 11th Armoured did they bring their own LAD from England, or use the existing one?

    This is a bad example, (IMHO), because most likely “they”, would save shipping space and keep the existing one. But if they did WOW, tight. The other example (without looking hard) is the 56th Infantry brigades support units. I'm sure I will find many more, but the question is "Did they try keep the existing supporting units?"
     

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