Good afternoon folks, Looking to build up some info on the CMP in WW2 (my father served thoughout WW2 in the CMP) and specifically at the moment looking at two targets. Firstly, organisational structure and Secondly, an Order of Battle. As to the first, Mike has kindly pointed me at some wonderful info here on the Trux-21st Army Group section which will be of enormous help. Seems like the basic unit structure in more modern times is still pretty similar to what it was in WW2. I'm looking at the Divisional Provost Company structure first and note that War Establishment II/341/2. March 1944 quotes a Company strength in Serjeants as 5. It suggests 6 Sections for a Div Pro Coy and the data on Sections suggests the section commander was a Sgt which would suggest at least 6 Serjeants assuming no additional Serjeants in HQ. The data on Provost Sections states they are for beach and/or LoC and for TAC HQs. Was the Provost Section in a Divisional Pro Coy different then ? Can anyone help clarify ? Also looking for similar info on RAFP if anyone can help.
Procoy The WE you mentioned is correct for Divisions as it belongs to volume "II" ("II/<table>/<version>" means "divisions ..."). and yes, six sections, and yes, a serjeant leads. The mentioned WE shows the complete divisional provost company. There is 1 more serjeant in the company HQ (for M.T. duties), so 7 in the company. Section is 16: 1 serjeant 1 driver, I.C. (for the truck, 15-cwt.) 2 corporals 12 lance-corporals 13 motor-cycles, solo 2 cars, 5-cwt. 4 x 4 (aka jeep) 1 truck, 15-cwt., 4 x 4, G.S.. (general service) 50 % of the lance-corporals were unpaid. Unlike other volumes, e.g.: III - Corps, Army, GHQ IV - Lines of Communication XIV - 21 Army Group There are 16 volumes in total. WEs with similiar names might be totally identical in different volumes - or different. So if you found volume III or IV WEs, these concern certainly NOT divisional units, whereas volume I, VI, XIV and other might probably. Hope that helps for the start. Cheers Aixman
i had a look on the WE in the Trux section. The "5" for serjeants seems to be one of Mike's (Trux) rare examples for calculating mistakes in his huge mass of information provided (I appreciate his information in every regard). The remainder of the numbers in this WE is correctly cited as usual (you need the sixth section serjeant to reach the company total of 111). The original WEs are not as detailed as Mike's transcrisptions, as he shows who is sitting in which vehicle.
There was a difference between the Provost Company of a formation (division, corps, army) and that of the rear areas (Line of communication and base areas and sub areas. The former had a set establishment while the others could have a widely varying area and number of units and so needed a flexible establishment. The Trux 21 Army Group section shows the headquarters for such companies followed by the various types of CMP section which could be assigned to the company (provost, traffic control, vulnerable points). Somewhere in the Sword Beach thread are details of the Beach Group and Beach Sub Area Provost Companies. These were composed of a headquarters and four Provost sections but with a reduced vehicle establishment. As always the War Establishment showed what the WD provided to the theatre. Once in theatre local commanders could vary them as with the beach company. Apologies for the error you spotted. I can, given time, supply a copy of the original document if problems arise. Mike
Things did not change much. Here are the War Establishment tables for the BEF. CORPS OF MILITARY POLICE HEADQUARTERS LINE of COMMUNICATION PROVOST COMPANY War Establishment IV/1931/65A/1 Company Serjeant Major company quartermaster serjeant cook clerk driver 1 X motorcycle 1 X 12cwt van 4 X pistol 1 X rifle LINE of COMMUNICATION PROVOST SECTION War Establishment IV/1931/66/3 serjeant 2 X corporal 13 X lance corporal cook clerk driver 7 X motorcycle 1 X 15cwt truck GS 16 X pistol CORPS PROVOST COMPANY War Establishment III/1931/60/3 Headquarters Captain Regimental Serjeant Major Warrant Officer Class III company quartermaster serjeant 2 X batman driver 2 X driver clerk storeman Attached motor mechanic RAOC 2 X cook (infantry) 2 X motorcycle 2 X car 2 seater 1 X 15cwt truck 1 X 30cwt lorry 10 X pistol 3 X rifle 6 X section each serjeant 2 X corporal 13 X private 15 X motorcycle 1 X 15cwt truck 16 X pistol All military police personnel are trained in first aid and anti gas and contamination work. DIVISIONAL PROVOST COMPANY War Establishment II/1931/20/4 Headquarters Captain Regimental Serjeant Major Warrant Officer Class III company quartermaster serjeant 2 X batman driver 2 X driver clerk storeman Attached motor mechanic RAOC 2 X cook (infantry) 2 X motorcycle 2 X car 2 seater 1 X 15cwt truck 1 X 30cwt lorry 10 X pistol 3 X rifle 6 X section each serjeant 2 X corporal 13 X private 15 X motorcycle 1 X 15cwt truck 16 X pistol All military police personnel are trained in first aid and anti gas and contamination work. Mike.
Many thanks for the clarification and extra info guys ! Its much appreciated. Curious over one thing. In my day (1980s) we had a SSjt as Pln Cdr, each Pln having two Sections with a Sjt in charge of a number of Cpl/LCpl. Don't see any reference to SSjts in the WW2 breakdowns. Wasn't this rank used in the CMP back then (other than the CQMS in HQ) ? Cheers Procoy
Staff serjeant was a newly introduced rank. CQMS and Colour Serjeant were equivalent. Staff serjeants were really technical. There are staff serjeant clerks, mechanists, etc but none commanded platoons etc. Except for an emergency measure early in the war when Warrant Officers commanded platoons this was always a commissioned officers role. Different times, class system etc. oops too many etc. Mike
