MOTOR BATTALION and MACHINE GUN UNITS Motor battalions were highly mobile infantry intended to accompany armour. The primary role was to protect tanks, against anti tank weapons in action and against surprise attack at Night. Machine gun battalions were assigned to infantry divisions and companies to armoured divisions. MOTOR BATTALION War Establishment II/231/3. January 1944 A Motor Battalion was a specialised infantry unit intended for the close protection of armoured units. When first introduced in 1939 it was to be included in the support group of an armoured division. There were then two motor battalions to two armoured brigades. Later the armoured division was reduced to one armoured brigade and one motor battalion was included in it. This applied to all armoured brigades in an armoured division and to independent armoured brigades intended to support armoured divisions. At first it was intended that the motor battalions should be formed from cavalry regiments. It was decided however that the motor battalions should be found by battalions of the Rifle Brigade and Kings Royal Rifle Corp. The Guards Armoured Division found their own motor battalion from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. It has been suggested that this was because the six foot plus high Guardsmen of the Kings Company would not fit into other armoured vehicles. 4th Battalion Coldstream Guards formed the motor battalion of the 6th Guards Tank Brigade which broke all the rules since it should not have had a motor battalion. From the start the transport of the motor battalion was the 15cwt truck carrying an eight man section, including the driver. This number was not increased in line with standard infantry battalions and the section remained at eight men until the end of the war. This would mean that the 15cwt halftrack, which was the normal transport in 21 Army Group, would be very roomy since it was designed for twelve men. Since the Motor Battalion operated closely with armoured units it used the Wireless set No 19 except for rifle platoons which used the infantry Wireless set No38. The motor battalion was organised so that each of the three companies could operate independently with one of the armoured regiments in the armoured division. Towards the end of the campaign it was usual for the lorried infantry battalions of an armoured division to be paired with armoured regiments in which case the motor battalion was paired with the armoured reconnaissance regiment. This organisation applied to the following units 1st Grenadier Guards Guards Armoured Division 4th Coldstream Guards 6th Guards Tank Brigade (2.45) 1st Rifle Brigade 7th Armoured Division 8th Rifle Brigade 11th Armoured division 2nd Kings Royal Rifle Corp 4th Armoured Brigade 12th Kings Royal Rifle Corp 8th Armoured Brigade MOTOR BATTALION War Establishment II/231/3. January 1944 Personnel Lieutenant Colonel 5 X Major Captain, Adjutant 5 X Captain Technical Officer, Captain 23 X Subaltern Quartermaster Regimental Serjeant Major Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant Company Serjeant Major 6 X company quartermaster serjeant intelligence serjeant orderly room serjeant clerk provost serjeant pioneer serjeant medical serjeant transport serjeant 40 X serjeant 79 X corporal 643 X private Total 825 Plus attached Medical Officer RAMC corporal shoemaker RAOC serjeant armourer REME 2 X armourer REME 10 X vehicle mechanic REME serjeant fitter REME 3 X fitter REME electrician REME officers mess cook ACC 15 X cook ACC Trades included 3 X carpenters and joiner 9 X clerk 83 X driver mechanic 50 X driver operator 2 X equipment repairer 6 X vehicle mechanic 6 X technical storeman non tradesman included 10 X batman 27 X batman driver butchery dutyman 73 X driver IC 54 X Gun number 4 X intelligence dutyman 24 X machine gun numbers medical officers orderly 24 X 3” mortarman 18 X 2” mortarman 38 X motorcycle orderly postman 4 X rangetaker 2 X regimental police 2 X sanitary dutyman 22 X signaller 4 X signal orderly 8 X storeman 17 X stretcherbearer 3 X transport corporal water dutyman which left 225 riflemen and Bren gun numbers. This applied to all motor battalions except 1st Grenadier Guards and 4th Coldstream Guards which had two extra Warrant Officers for drill. Transport 57 X motorcycle 1 X car 4 seater 4 X 4 8 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 16 X 15cwt GS 1 X 15cwt office 55 X armoured 15cwt halftrack 18 X 3ton 4 X 4 5 X 3ton 4 X 4 kitchen 24 X Loyd carrier 44 X Universal carrier 6 X Carrier 3” mortar 8 X Carrier MMG 5 X Humber Scout car 4 X water trailer. Organisation Battalion Headquarters When on the move or deployed for action there was not a clear cut distinction between Battalion Headquarters and the Headquarters Company. Some of the Battalion Headquarters personnel will be located at rear headquarters and some of the Headquarters Companys transport are used by Battalion Headquarters. There would be a Royal Signals vehicle to maintain communications with Brigade Headquarters Commanding Officer, Lieutenant colonel Second in Command, Major Adjutant, Captain Intelligence Officer, Subaltern Technical Officer, Captain Regimental Serjeant Major intelligence serjeant 4 X intelligence privates orderly room serjeant clerk clerk provost serjeant 2 X regimental police 2 X batman 2 X batman driver driver mechanic 2 X driver IC fitter vehicle mechanic 7 X driver operator In action the Commanding Officer formed a small tactical headquarters containing only the personnel who were required for the task of command. His operational officers, adjutant, signals officer, technical officer and intelligence officer each had their own 15cwt armoured halftrack together with a Wireless set No19. Using this wireless set they could each communicate with their own personnel through the A set while keeping in touch with each other through the short range B set. The Commanding Officer would normally be at battalion headquarters during an action but might otherwise be at Brigade headquarters or visiting his own companies, holding order groups or conducting reconnaissance. The battalion headquarters group could continue to function in his absence. The Commanding Officer could use the Car 4 X 4 or Scout Car 1 according to circumstances. The Intelligence Officer was responsible for The Second in Command was not normally at the tactical headquarters. In action he assumed responsibility for all administrative matters thus leaving the Commanding Officer to concentrate on operational matters. He was responsible for the rear headquarters which held all the battalion elements which were not actively engaged in an operation. This included the transport, supply and maintenance elements The Regimental Serjeant Major was responsible for the control of the headquarters personnel. His office truck would not be with the tactical headquarters in action. Note that the organisation below assumes the use of 15cwt armoured 4 X 4 trucks (White Scout Cars). These had a smaller capacity than the halftracks which were issued for use in NW Europe. The White could seat eight men while the halftrack could seat twelve more conveniently. Unit records generally fail to distinguish between the two, calling them all ‘Whites’. Car 4 seater 4 X 4 (Humber FWD). Commanding Officer, batman, driver IC Humber Scout car 1. batman driver Wireless set No 19 15cwt armoured truck 1 Adjutant, clerk, 2 X driver operator Carries Wireless set No19 15cwt armoured truck 2 Intelligence officer, batman, 2 X driver operator Carries Wireless set No19 15cwt armoured truck. 3 Technical Officer, 2 X driver operator, batman driver Carries Wireless set No 19 15cwt armoured truck Subaltern, 2 X driver operators, batman driver Carries Wireless set No19 and Wireless set No18 Humber Scout car 2. Major, driver operator Wireless set No 19 15cwt Office Regimental Serjeant Major, serjeant clerk, driver IC Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep) 1 intelligence serjeant, intelligence private Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep) 2 regimental policeman, intelligence private Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep) 3 provost serjeant, regimental policeman Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep) 4 2 X intelligence private Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep) 5 fitter, vehicle mechanic Presumably Jeep 2 only carried an intelligence private for long moves. The roles of the regimental policeman and the intelligence private were very different in action. In practice two jeeps would belong to the regimental police and two belong to the intelligence section. Headquarters Company Headquarters 15cwt armoured truck Captain, Company Serjeant Major, clerk, 2 X driver operator, driver IC Carries Wireless set No 19 Motorcycle captains orderly Signal platoon The Signal Officer in his 15cwt armoured halftrack would be with the tactical headquarters. Motorcycle signaller orderlies would be assigned to each of the key headquarters officers. Motorcycle 1 signal serjeant Motorcycle 2 signaller orderly Motorcycle 3 signaller orderly Motorcycle 4 signaller orderly Motorcycle 5 signaller orderly 15cwt truck GS storeman, driver operator, driver IC 15cwt truck GS 4 X signaller, driver IC Carries hand cable layer and cable reels. Administrative platoon Motorcycle Subaltern Motorcycle transport serjeant 15cwt truck GS Quartermaster, storeman, batman, batman driver 15cwt armoured truck serjeant (ic stretcherbearers), 4 X stretcher bearer, batman driver 15cwt armoured truck corporal stretcher bearer, 4 X stretcher bearer, driver IC 15cwt armoured truck corporal stretcherbearer, 4 X stretcher bearer, driver IC 3ton lorry GS 1 Medical Officer, medical officers orderly, 3 X stretcher bearer, driver IC The medical establishment allows for an armoured halftrack ambulance to be assigned to each motor company and for the Medical officer to establish a Regimental Aid Post. These four vehicles would travel with the headquarters company on long moves but would normally be dispersed. 3ton lorry GS 2 company quartermaster serjeant, technical storeman, electrician, storeman, driver IC 3ton lorry GS 3 vehicle mechanic, technical storeman, 3 X vehicle mechanics, driver IC 3ton lorry GS 4 clerk, driver IC 3ton lorry GS 5 clerk, driver IC 3ton lorry GS 6 Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant, serjeant armourer, armourer, clerk, driver IC 3ton lorry GS 7 pioneer serjeant, 3 X carpenter and joiner, 2 X sanitary dutyman, corporal shoemaker, driver IC 3ton lorry GS 8 butchery dutyman, postman, driver IC 3ton lorry GS 9 armourer, driver IC 3ton lorry GS 10 equipment repairer, driver IC 3ton lorry GS 11 equipment repairer, driver IC 3ton lorry kitchen water dutyman, corporal cook, 3 X cook, driver IC tows a water trailer Support Company Motorcycle 1 orderly Motorcycle 2 orderly Motorcycle 3 transport serjeant 15cwt armoured truck Major, 2 X driver operator, signaller, batman driver Carries a Wireless set No 19 and a Wireless set No18 Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep) driver operator, vehicle mechanic This jeep was for the use of the Major commanding the Support Company when away from the headquarters. It was later replaced by a Humber Scout car with Wireless set No 19. 15cwt armoured truck Captain, Company Serjeant Major, clerk, batman 15cwt armoured truck 3 X vehicle mechanic, driver IC 3ton lorry kitchen company quartermaster serjeant, corporal cook, 2 X cook, storeman, driver IC 3ton lorry GS technical storeman, driver IC Anti tank platoon 1 Headquarters Motorcycle orderly 15cwt truck GS serjeant, batman driver Carries stores and 6pdr ammunition 15cwt truck GS fitter, driver IC Carries fitters stores and 6pdr ammunition Carrier Universal Subaltern, signaller, driver mechanic Carries a Wireless set No18 section Motorcycle orderly Carrier Loyd serjeant, 3 X gun numbers, driver mechanic Carries 24 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus a spare gun wheel Tows a 6pdr AT gun Carrier Loyd corporal, driver mechanic Carries 30 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus gun side shields and a bren gun Carrier Loyd serjeant, 3 X gun numbers, driver mechanic Carries 24 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus a spare gun wheel Tows a 6pdr AT gun Carrier Loyd corporal, driver mechanic Carries 30 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus gun side shields and a bren gun section Motorcycle orderly Carrier Loyd serjeant, 3 X gun numbers, driver mechanic Carries 24 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus a spare gun wheel Tows a 6pdr AT gun Carrier Loyd corporal, driver mechanic Carries 30 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus gun side shields and a bren gun Carrier Loyd serjeant, 3 X gun numbers, driver mechanic Carries 24 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus a spare gun wheel Tows a 6pdr AT gun Carrier Loyd corporal, driver mechanic Carries 30 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus gun side shields and a bren gun Anti tank platoon 2 Headquarters Motorcycle orderly 15cwt truck GS serjeant, batman driver Carries stores and 6pdr ammunition 15cwt truck GS fitter, driver IC Carries fitters stores and 6pdr ammunition Carrier Universal Subaltern, signaller, driver mechanic Carries a Wireless set No18 section Motorcycle orderly Carrier Loyd serjeant, 3 X gun numbers, driver mechanic Carries 24 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus a spare gun wheel Tows a 6pdr AT gun Carrier Loyd corporal, driver mechanic Carries 30 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus gun side shields and a bren gun Carrier Loyd serjeant, 3 X gun numbers, driver mechanic Carries 24 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus a spare gun wheel Tows a 6pdr AT gun Carrier Loyd corporal, driver mechanic Carries 30 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus gun side shields and a bren gun section Motorcycle orderly Carrier Loyd serjeant, 3 X gun numbers, driver mechanic Carries 24 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus a spare gun wheel Tows a 6pdr AT gun Carrier Loyd corporal, driver mechanic Carries 30 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus gun side shields and a bren gun Carrier Loyd serjeant, 3 X gun numbers, driver mechanic Carries 24 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus a spare gun wheel Tows a 6pdr AT gun Carrier Loyd corporal, driver mechanic Carries 30 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus gun side shields and a bren gun Anti Tank Platoon 3 Headquarters Motorcycle orderly 15cwt truck GS serjeant, batman driver Carries stores and 6pdr ammunition 15cwt truck GS fitter, driver IC Carries fitters stores and 6pdr ammunition Carrier Universal Subaltern, signaller, driver mechanic Carries a Wireless set No18 section Motorcycle orderly Carrier Loyd serjeant, 3 X gun numbers, driver mechanic Carries 24 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus a spare gun wheel Tows a 6pdr AT gun Carrier Loyd corporal, driver mechanic Carries 30 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus gun side shields and a bren gun Carrier Loyd serjeant, 3 X gun numbers, driver mechanic Carries 24 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus a spare gun wheel Tows a 6pdr AT gun Carrier Loyd corporal, driver mechanic Carries 30 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus gun side shields and a bren gun section Motorcycle orderly Carrier Loyd serjeant, 3 X gun numbers, driver mechanic Carries 24 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus a spare gun wheel Tows a 6pdr AT gun Carrier Loyd corporal, driver mechanic Carries 30 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus gun side shields and a bren gun Carrier Loyd serjeant, 3 X gun numbers, driver mechanic Carries 24 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus a spare gun wheel Tows a 6pdr AT gun Carrier Loyd corporal, driver mechanic Carries 30 rounds of 6pdr ammunition plus gun side shields and a bren gun Medium Machine Gun Platoon 1 Headquarters Motorcycle orderly Carrier Universal Subaltern, signaller, driver mechanic Carries a Wireless set No18 Carrier Universal serjeant, batman, driver mechanic Section Carrier Universal serjeant, rangetaker, driver mechanic Carrier Universal (fitted for medium machine gun) corporal, 2 X gun number, driver mechanic Carries .303” medium machine gun Carrier Universal (fitted for medium machine gun) corporal, 2 X gun number, driver mechanic Carries .303” medium machine gun Section Carrier Universal serjeant, rangetaker, driver mechanic Carrier Universal (fitted for medium machine gun) corporal, 2 X gun number, driver mechanic Carries .303” medium machine gun Carrier Universal (fitted for medium machine gun) corporal, 2 X gun number, driver mechanic Carries .303” medium machine gun Medium Machine Gun Platoon 2 Headquarters Motorcycle orderly Carrier Universal Subaltern, signaller, driver mechanic Carries a Wireless set No18 Carrier Universal serjeant, batman, driver mechanic Section Carrier Universal serjeant, rangetaker, driver mechanic Carrier Universal (fitted for medium machine gun) corporal, 2 X gun number, driver mechanic Carries .303” medium machine gun Carrier Universal (fitted for medium machine gun) corporal, 2 X gun number, driver mechanic Carries .303” medium machine gun Section Carrier Universal serjeant, rangetaker, driver mechanic Carrier Universal (fitted for medium machine gun) corporal, 2 X gun number, driver mechanic Carries .303” medium machine gun Carrier Universal (fitted for medium machine gun) corporal, 2 X gun number, driver mechanic Carries .303” medium machine gun 3 X Motor Company Headquarters Motorcycle 1 orderly Motorcycle 2 orderly Motorcycle 3 orderly 15cwt armoured truck Major, clerk, 2 X driver operator, signaller, batman driver Carries a Wireless set No 19 and a Wireless set No18 15cwt armoured truck Captain, company serjeant major, 2 X driver operator, batman driver Carries Wireless set No19 Mortar detachment 15cwt truck GS lance corporal, driver IC Carrier Universal serjeant, 3 X mortarman, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No38 Carrier Universal corporal, 3 X mortarman, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No38 Administrative Motorcycle transport corporal Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep) vehicle mechanic, driver IC 3ton lorry GS vehicle mechanic, driver IC 3ton lorry GS technical storeman, driver IC 3ton lorry kitchen company quartermaster serjeant, corporal cook, 2 X cook, driver IC Scout platoon Motorcycle orderly Motorcycle orderly 15cwt truck GS serjeant, driver IC Carrier Universal Subaltern, 2 X driver operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No19 Carrier Universal Subaltern, batman, driver mechanic Scout car batman, driver IC Section Carrier Universal serjeant, 2 X driver operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No19 Bren gun, PIAT, 2 X rifle, Sten gun plus 4” smoke discharger or 2” mortar. Carrier Universal corporal, rifleman, driver mechanic Bren gun, PIAT, 2 X rifle, Sten gun plus 4” smoke discharger or 2” mortar. Carrier Universal corporal, rifleman, driver mechanic Bren gun, PIAT, 2 X rifle, Sten gun plus 4” smoke discharger or 2” mortar. Section Carrier Universal serjeant, 2 X driver operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No19 Bren gun, PIAT, 2 X rifle, Sten gun plus 4” smoke discharger or 2” mortar. Carrier Universal corporal, rifleman, driver mechanic Bren gun, PIAT, 2 X rifle, Sten gun plus 4” smoke discharger or 2” mortar. Carrier Universal corporal, rifleman, driver mechanic Bren gun, PIAT, 2 X rifle, Sten gun plus 4” smoke discharger or 2” mortar. Section Carrier Universal serjeant, 2 X driver operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No19 Bren gun, PIAT, 2 X rifle, Sten gun plus 4” smoke discharger or 2” mortar. Carrier Universal corporal, rifleman, driver mechanic Bren gun, PIAT, 2 X rifle, Sten gun plus 4” smoke discharger or 2” mortar. Carrier Universal corporal, rifleman, driver mechanic Bren gun, PIAT, 2 X rifle, Sten gun plus 4” smoke discharger or 2” mortar. Motor platoon Motorcycle orderly 15cwt armoured truck Subaltern, serjeant, signaller, 2 X mortarmen, batman driver Carries Wireless set No38 section 15cwt armoured truck corporal, 6 X rifleman, driver IC section 15cwt armoured truck corporal, 6 X rifleman, driver IC section 15cwt armoured truck corporal, 6 X rifleman, driver IC Motor platoon Motorcycle orderly 15cwt armoured truck Subaltern, serjeant, signaller, 2 X mortarmen, batman driver Carries Wireless set No38 Section 15cwt armoured truck corporal, 6 X rifleman, driver IC Section 15cwt armoured truck corporal, 6 X rifleman, driver IC Section 15cwt armoured truck corporal, 6 X rifleman, driver IC Motor platoon Motorcycle orderly 15cwt armoured truck Subaltern, serjeant, signaller, 2 X mortarmen, batman driver Carries Wireless set No38 Section 15cwt armoured truck corporal, 6 X rifleman, driver IC Section 15cwt armoured truck corporal, 6 X rifleman, driver IC Section 15cwt armoured truck corporal, 6 X rifleman, driver IC Markings. The motor battalion was the fourth unit in the armoured brigade and was marked accordingly. 1 Grenadier Guards had Red arm of service square with number 54 in white. Guards Armoured Division sign 1 Rifle brigade had Red arm of service square with number 54 in white. 7 Armoured Division sign 8 Rifle Brigade had Red arm of service square with number 54 in white 11 Armoured Division sign 2 Kings Royal Rifle Corp had Red arm of service square with number 125 in white 4 Armoured Brigade sign 12 Kings Royal rifle Corp had Red arm of service square with number 475 in white 8 Armoured Brigade sign White Army Troops bar under 4 Coldstream Guards had Green arm of service square with 156 in white 6 Guards Armoured Brigade sign White Army Troops bar under. This had a green square as it was a tank brigade until 2.45, which was when 4 Coldstream joined it. As the fourth unit if the brigade the motor battalion also had Green tactical signs marked on the side. Headquarters Green Diamond A Company Green Triangle B Company Green Square C Company Green Circle MACHINE GUN UNITS Machine Gun Battalion. War Establishment II/240/1. February 1944. Independent Machine Gun Company. War Establishment II/239/1. January 1944. MACHINE GUN BATTALION War Establishment II/240/1. February 1944 The Machine Gun Battalion was intended to serve with infantry divisions and provided a machine gun company for each brigade, plus heavy mortars. No later establishments have been found but there may have been minor amendments such as the replacement of 15cwt Office with 3ton Office. It is known that flame thrower sections were added during the campaign in NW Europe but the original establishment tables are not available at present. The major weapons of the Machine Gun Battalion and the Independent Machine Gun Company were the .303” Medium Machine Gun, but the 4.2” Heavy Mortar was also used. The Medium Machine Gun was also used by the Motor Battalions of armoured divisions but the 4.2” mortar was not used by other units in NW Europe. Details of operations are given with the Independent Machine Gun Company. Lieutenant Colonel, Officer Commanding Major, second in command 4 X Major Captain, Adjutant Captain, Technical Officer 6 X Captain 20 X Subaltern Regimental Serjeant Major Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant 5 X Company Serjeant Major 5 X company quartermaster serjeant serjeant orderly room clerk provost serjeant pioneer serjeant transport serjeant serjeant, medical section serjeant technical storeman 42 X serjeant 89 X corporal 37 X lance corporal 476 X private Plus Attached Medical Officer RAMC corporal shoemaker RAOC staff serjeant armourer REME serjeant armourer REME serjeant vehicle mechanic REME 2 X vehicle mechanic REME electrician REME 5 X officers mess cook ACC 5 X corporal cook ACC 12 X cook ACC Trades etc included bricklayer 3 X carpenter and joiner 10 X clerk 60 X driver mechanics 66 X driver operators equipment repairer 9 X technical storeman corporal vehicle mechanic 4 X vehicle mechanic 7 X ammunition numbers 19 X batman 16 X batman driver 56 X driver IC 4 X intelligence private medical officers orderly, lance corporal 144 X MMG numbers, including 36 corporals 16 X corporal mortarman 48 X mortarman 4 X corporal mortar position officers assistant 36 X motorcycle orderlies 4 X corporal observation post assistant. postman 3 X regimental police 18 X rangetakers 2 X sanitary dutyman 13 X signaller 6 X storeman 18 X stretcherbearers transport corporal Total vehicles 52 X motorcycle 1 X car 4 X 4 9 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 40 X 15cwt GS 5 X 15cwt water 10 X 15cwt FFW 1 X 3ton Office 22 X 3ton 4 X 4 24 X Loyd carrier 45 X Universal carrier 36 X Carrier MMG 24 X 10cwt mortar trailer. Organisation Headquarters Motorcycle 1 provost serjeant Motorcycle 2 regimental police Motorcycle 3 regimental police Motorcycle 4 regimental police Motorcycle 5 intelligence serjeant 4 seater car 4 X 4 Lieutenant Colonel, batman, batman driver 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) Major, batman driver 5cwt car 4 X 4 (Jeep) corporal driver operator, driver operator Carries Wireless set No22 15cwt truck GS Subaltern (Intelligence Officer), batman driver Carries Intelligence stores Carries a PIAT 15cwt truck GS Captain (Technical Officer), batman driver Carries traffic signs 3ton 4 X 2 Office Regimental Serjeant Major, serjeant orderly room clerk, 2 X clerk, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg 15cwt truck GS Medical Officer, medical officers orderly, driver IC 15cwt truck GS serjeant (medical section), 2 X stretcher bearer, driver IC Carries medical stores Headquarters Company Headquarters 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) Captain, batman driver 15cwt truck GS Company Serjeant Major, clerk, driver IC The company quartermaster serjeant is part of the headquarters but travels in the transport of the administrative platoon. Signal platoon Motorcycle 1 signal serjeant Motorcycle 2 oderly Motorcycle 3 orderly Motorcycle 4 orderly Motorcycle 5 orderly Motorcycle 6 orderly Motorcycle7 orderly 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) Captain, batman driver 15cwt truck GS Corporal signaller, 3 X signaller, driver IC Carries 12 X telephone D MkV and Switchboard UC 10 15cwt truck GS 3 X signaller, driver IC Carries signal stores 15cwt truck GS 2 X driver mechanic Carries charging set 1260watt 15cwt truck GS 2 X driver mechanic Carries charging set 1260watt 15cwt truck FFW 2 X driver operator Carries Wireless set No22 15cwt truck FFW 2 X driver operator Carries Wireless set No22 Administrative platoon Motorcycle transport serjeant 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) Subaltern (MT Officer), batman driver 15cwt truck GS Quartermaster, 2 X clerk, batman driver 15cwt truck GS 2 X armourer REME, corporal shoemaker, driver IC Carries Bren lmg 15cwt truck water driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 storeman, driver IC Carries petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 vehicle mechanic REME, driver IC Carries petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3 vehicle mechanic REME, driver IC Carries petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 vehicle mechanic REME, driver IC Carries petrol 3ton 4 X 4 GS 5 Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant, postman, equipment repairer, driver IC Carries QM stores Carries PIAT 3ton 4 X 4 GS 6 pioneer serjeant, 3 X carpenter and joiner, bricklayer, pioneer, driver IC Carries QM stores Carries PIAT 3ton 4 X 4 GS 7 corporal cook ACC, 3 X cook ACC, driver IC Carries cooking sets, rations and water tins Carries Bren lmg This vehicle also carries the company quartermaster serjeant from Headquarters, Headquarters Company. 3ton 4 X 4 GS 8 serjeant (technical storeman), technical storeman, clerk (MT duties), vehicle mechanic, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 9 electrician REME, driver mechanic Carries MT stores and tools Carries Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 10 2 X sanitary dutyman, driver IC Carries reserve ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 GS 11 storeman, driver IC Carries rations Heavy Mortar Company Motorcycle 1 orderly Motorcycle 2 orderly Motorcycle 3 orderly Motorcycle 4 orderly Motorcycle 5 transport corporal Motorcycle 6 signal serjeant 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) Major, driver operator Carries Wireless set No 22 15cwt truck GS 1 corporal technical storeman, technical storeman, vehicle mechanic, 2 X vehicle mechanic REME, driver IC Carries MT stores 15cwt truck GS 2 Subaltern (Signal Officer), 2 X signaller, batman driver Carries signal stores 15cwt truck GS 3 2 X driver mechanic Carries signal stores Carries 1260 watt charging set 15cwt truck GS 4 4 X stretcher bearer, driver IC 15cwt truck personnel Captain, Company Serjeant major, intelligence dutyman, clerk, batman, batman driver Carries Bren lmg 15cwt truck FFW 1 corporal driver operator, driver operator Carries Wireless set No 22 15cwt truck FFW 2 3 X driver operator Carries Wireless set No 22 15cwt truck water driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 ammunition number, storeman, driver IC Carries mortar bombs 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 ammunition number, driver IC Carries mortar bombs 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3 ammunition number, driver IC Carries mortar bombs 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 ammunition number, driver IC Carries mortar bombs 3ton 4 X 4 GS 5 company quartermaster serjeant, corporal cook ACC, 5 X cook ACC, driver IC Carries cooking sets, rations and water tins 4 X Heavy Mortar platoons each Headquarters Carrier Subaltern, corporal observation post assistant, 2 X driver operators Carries Wireless set No22 and Wireless set No38 Motorcycle orderly Carrier Subaltern, corporal mortar position officer’s assistant, 2 X driver operator Carries Wireless set No22 Carries a PIAT Motorcycle orderly Motorcycle platoon serjeant Section 1 Carrier Loyd 1 serjeant, batman, corporal driver operator, driver operator This is No1 section commander’s carrier Carries Wireless set No22 and Telephone loudspeaker No2 Carries 20 X mortar bombs Carries a bren lmg Tows a mortar trailer with 44 X mortar bombs Carrier Loyd 2 corporal mortarman, 3 X mortarman, driver mechanic Carries 22 X mortar bombs Tows a mortar trailer with 4.2” mortar and 24 X mortar bombs. Carrier Loyd 3 corporal mortarman, 3 X mortarman, driver mechanic Carries 22 X mortar bombs Tows a mortar trailer with 4.2” mortar and 24 X mortar bombs. Section 2 Carrier Loyd 4 serjeant, batman, driver mechanic This is No2 section commander’s carrier Carries 48 X mortar bombs Carries a Bren lmg Tows a mortar trailer with 44 X mortar bombs. Carrier Loyd 5 corporal mortarman, 3 X mortarman, driver mechanic Carries 22 X mortar bombs Tows a mortar trailer with 4.2” mortar and 24 X mortar bombs. Carrier Loyd 6 corporal mortarman, 3 X mortarman, driver mechanic Carries 22 X mortar bombs Tows a mortar trailer with 4.2” mortar and 24 X mortar bombs. 3 X Machine Gun Companies each Motorcycle 1 orderly Motorcycle 2 orderly Motorcycle 3 orderly Motorcycle 4 transport corporal 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) Major, batman driver 15cwt truck GS 1 corporal technical storeman, technical storeman, vehicle mechanic, vehicle mechanic REME, driver IC Carries MT stores 15cwt truck GS 2 4 X stretcher bearer, 2 X signaller, driver IC 15cwt truck personnel Captain, Company Serjeant major, intelligence dutyman, clerk, batman driver Carries Bren lmg 15cwt truck FFW 1 2 X driver operator Carries Wireless set No 22 15cwt truck FFW 2 3 X driver operator Carries Wireless set No 22 15cwt truck water driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 5 Company Quartermaster Serjeant, corporal cook ACC, 4 X cook ACC, driver IC Carries cooking sets, rations and water tins 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 ammunition number, storeman, driver IC Carries ammunition Three platoons each Platoon headquarters Carrier, Universal 1 Subaltern, 2 X driver operator Carries Wireless set No22 and Wireless set No18 Motorcycle orderly Carrier, Universal 2 Serjeant, batman, driver mechanic Carries stores and ammunition Carries a PIAT 15cwt GS 4 X MMG numbers, driver IC Carries stores and ammunition Carries a Bren lmg section 1 Carrier, Universal 1 serjeant, rangetaker, driver mechanic Carries ammunition and equipment Carrier, MMG 1 corporal MMG number, 2 X MMG number, driver mechanic Carries a .303” Medium Machine Gun Carries 12 X boxes of ammunition. Carrier, MMG 2 corporal MMG number, 2 X MMG number, driver mechanic Carries a .303” Medium Machine Gun Carries 12 X boxes of ammunition. section 2 Carrier, Universal 1 serjeant, rangetaker, driver mechanic Carries ammunition and equipment Carrier, MMG 1 corporal MMG number, 2 X MMG number, driver mechanic Carries a .303” Medium Machine Gun Carries 12 X boxes of ammunition. Carrier, MMG 2 corporal MMG number, 2 X MMG number, driver mechanic Carries a .303” Medium Machine Gun Carries 12 X boxes of ammunition. The Machine Gun Battalion was not provided with communications by the Royal Signals since it was assumed that machine gun companies would be attached to infantry brigades. However during the campaign a section was added in order to maintain the battalion’s wireless sets and batteries. P section (Machine Gun Battalion) Royal Signals Motorcycle corporal radio mechanic 15cwt truck GS 1 corporal radio mechanic, radio mechanic, driver mechanic Carries a 1,260 watt charging set 15cwt truck GS 2 corporal radio mechanic, radio mechanic, driver mechanic Carries a 1,260 watt charging set Light Aid Detachment Type B (Unarmoured) attached to a Machine Gun Battalion. Warrant Officer Class I, Armament Artificer serjeant vehicle mechanic 3 X driver mechanic electrician, vehicle and plant 3 X vehicle mechanic acetylene welder, ClassII lance corporal storeman storeman, trained as motor cyclist Total 12 all ranks 1 X motorcycle 1 X car 2 seater 2 X 3ton stores lorry 1 X 3ton 6 X 4 breakdown gantry INDEPENDENT MACHINE GUN COMPANY War Establishment II/239/1. January 1944. The Independent Machine Gun Company was intended to serve with an armoured division. The armoured division had only one infantry brigade. To enable it to operate independently the independent company had more personnel at company headquarters than the company in a machine gun battalion. Often the extra personnel carried out the roles of personnel at a battalion headquarters but with a lower rank. Thus we have a provost corporal and an intelligence private in place of serjeants. As the campaign progressed it became usual for the lorried infantry battalions to be closely linked with armoured regiments and to operate more closely with together as battalion/regiment battle groups. In this organisation the machine gun platoons were semi permanently attached to a lorried infantry battalion and relied on the independent company headquarters only for administration and for technical support for the machine guns. The 4.2” mortars remained concentrated under company headquarters and formed a divisional reserve rather than as support for the infantry brigade. Personnel Major 2 X Captain 6 X Subaltern Company Serjeant Major company quartermaster serjeant transport serjeant serjeant technical storeman 14 X serjeant 25 X corporal 149 X private Total 201 Plus Attached corporal nursing orderly RAMC serjeant armourer REME serjeant vehicle mechanic REME 2 X vehicle mechanic REME officers mess cook ACC corporal cook ACC 4 X cook ACC Trades etc included carpenter and joiner corporal clerk 2 X clerk 27 X driver mechanics 18 X driver operators equipment repairer technical storeman corporal vehicle mechanic vehicle mechanic administrative corporal 3 X ammunition numbers 5 X batman 4 X batman driver 13 X driver IC intelligence private 48 X MMG numbers 4 X corporal mortarman 12 X mortarman corporal mortar position officers assistant 11 X motorcycle orderlies corporal observation post assistant. orderly provost corporal 6 X rangetakers sanitary dutyman 3 X signaller storeman 4 X stretcherbearers Transport 16 X motorcycle 2 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 (jeep) 9 X 15cwt GS 1 X 15cwt office 1 X 15cwt water 2 X 15cwt FFW 6 X 3ton 4 X 4 6 X Loyd carrier 26 X Universal carrier 6 X 10cwt mortar trailer. Company headquarters The company headquarters did not usually operate as a single entity. The Commanding Officer would position his small tactical headquarters at the headquarters of the unit being supported. In this case it would normally be the headquarters of the Lorried Infantry Brigade of an armoured division. The similar headquarters of a Medium Machine Gun Company of a Machine Gun Regiment in an infantry division would position itself at infantry brigade headquarters. The second in command was responsible for administrative matters and would have an administrative headquarters. He was assisted by the Company Serjeant Major. The intelligence serjeant and intelligence private were responsible for maintaining a situation map. The provost corporal maintained order in the headquarters area, mainly parking etc, plus route marking. The small medical detachment was positioned at a convenient, and readily locatable, point. 15cwt GS Major, batman driver Car 5cwt 4 X 4 2 X driver operator Carries Wireless set No22 Motorcycle orderly The 15cwt GS truck was assigned to the Major commanding the company but he would only travel in it for long journeys. It was in effect his permanent base, office, sleeping vehicle etc. The jeep, equipped with wireless is the vehicle that the Major would use for visiting sub units, headquarters of the unit being and for reconnaissance. The orderly is the Major’s personal messenger. The batman driver was the Major’s soldier servant who also drove the 15cwt. 15cwt GS Captain, Company Serjeant Major, intelligence private, batman driver Normally a second in command would not be stationed near the commanding officer in action in case they both became casualties. In this case the small size of the headquarters and the dispersed nature of the company in action probably made this unnecessary and unpractical. Motorcycle intelligence serjeant Motorcycle orderly 15cwt FFW corporal driver operator, driver operator Carries Wireless set no22 This vehicle is for communication with the platoons. There would also be a 15cwt wireless vehicle of the Royal Signals to provide communications upwards. In larger units with a signal officer it was normal for him to be based in the headquarters group. This may apply to the signal serjeant in this case. 15cwt office Subaltern, corporal clerk, batman driver Motorcycle provost corporal 15cwt GS corporal nursing orderly, 4 X stretcher bearer, driver IC It was usual for independent units to have their own medical detachment. However when they were attached to a brigade they would normally place their medical personnel under the command of the brigades medical services and share the brigades resources. Obviously a machine gun detachment with an infantry battalion would use the battalions Regimental Aid Post. Headquarters platoon This was responsible for the transport, supply and maintenance of the company. It would need to be able to do this over a brigade front and would as far as possible be integrated with brigade and battalion supply and maintenance systems. Headquarters Car 5cwt 4 X 4 Captain, batman driver Motorcycle orderly The Captain was responsible for the day to day running of the headquarters platoon, and for the layout and defence of the B echelon area. In action it was more likely to be the second in command who called vehicles, equipment, supplies and personnel forward while the remainder of the vehicles and personnel were held by the brigade B echelon. Signal section As usual the signal section was dispersed. One 15cwt FFW travelled with the headquarters. Signal orderlies were attached to officers. The remainder were available for deployment as required. When not supervising and positioning signals detachments the signal serjeant would probably be at company headquarters. Motorcycle signal serjeant Motorcycle orderly Motorcycle orderly Motorcycle orderly 15cwt GS 3 X signaller, driver IC Carried cable layer and cable reels 15cwt FFW 2 X driver operator Carries Wireless set no22 When in static positions telephone cable would be laid to all detachments, and between company headquarters and the B echelon area. Where possible the lines would be laid in accordance to brigade and battalion signal plans. Normally the machine gun company would share switchboards if not lines. Transport section The transport section was commanded by a serjeant. He was responsible for the organisation and maintenance of the motor transport. For any more than routine maintenance and first line repairs he would have to call on the brigade REME Light Aid Detachment and the Brigade Workshop. Motorcycle transport serjeant 3 ton lorry GS serjeant vehicle mechanic, corporal vehicle mechanic, 2 X vehicle mechanic, serjeant technical stores, technical storeman, driver mechanic 3ton lorry GS clerk, driver IC Supply section This section is commanded by the Company Quartermaster serjeant and is responsible for the company stores and for the supply and cooking of food. All the companies cooks are concentrated here and it is not clear how the food reaches dispersed detachments. In some dispersed units, such as armour and reconnaissance units, each vehicle has its own portable cooker and can cook its own food if necessary. In other cases hot food is delivered. Perhaps the 15cwt could be used for this. 15cwt GS clerk, driver IC 15cwt water sanitary dutyman, driver IC 3 ton GS company quartermaster serjeant, 3 X cook, driver IC Carried Quartermaster stores 3 ton lorry GS corporal cook, 2 X cook, driver IC Carried cooking sets and rations Administrative section As with the supply of food the ammunition supply system is unclear but in this case all the ammunition seems to be carried on one 3ton lorry and is perhaps delivered by the 15cwt. Considering the rate of fire of the mortars in particular there does not seem to be a large reserve of ammunition. 15cwt truck GS administrative corporal, ammunition number, driver IC 3ton lorry GS serjeant armourer, equipment repairer, carpenter and joiner, storeman, driver IC Carries tools and technical stores 3ton lorry GS 2 X ammunition number, orderly, driver IC Carries ammunition Heavy Mortar Platoon Headquarters The subaltern platoon commander acts as an observation officer. He will either place himself at the headquarters of the unit he is supporting or establish an observation post to observe targets. Carrier Subaltern, corporal observation post assistant, 2 X driver operators Carries Wireless set No22 and Wireless set No38 Motorcycle orderly The subaltern mortar position officer receives orders from the observation officer and passes fire orders to the mortars by Tannoy. When moving into position the mortar position officer can call forward the sections by wireless. Carrier Subaltern, corporal mortar position officers assistant, 2 X driver operator Carries Wireless set No22 Motorcycle orderly Motorcycle platoon serjeant Normally all four mortars operate together, although a section can be detached to operate independently. Note that the crew and stowage of the two section leaders carriers differs considerably. Section 1 Carrier Loyd serjeant, batman, corporal driver operator, driver operator This is No1 section commanders carrier Carries Wireless set No22 Carries 12 X mortar bombs Tows a mortar trailer with 44 X mortar bombs Carrier Loyd corporal mortarman, 3 X mortarman, driver mechanic Carries 12 X mortar bombs Tows a mortar trailer with 4.2” mortar and 12 X mortar bombs. Carrier Loyd corporal mortarman, 3 X mortarman, driver mechanic Carries 12 X mortar bombs Tows a mortar trailer with 4.2” mortar and 12 X mortar bombs. Section 2 Carrier Loyd serjeant, batman, driver mechanic This is No2 section commanders carrier Carries 24 X mortar bombs Tows a mortar trailer with 44 X mortar bombs. Carrier Loyd corporal mortarman, 3 X mortarman, driver mechanic Carries 12 X mortar bombs Tows a mortar trailer with 4.2” mortar and 12 X mortar bombs. Carrier Loyd corporal mortarman, 3 X mortarman, driver mechanic Carries 12 X mortar bombs Tows a mortar trailer with 4.2” mortar and 12 X mortar bombs. The Medium Machine Gun Platoons As there are three Medium Machine Gun platoons it would be logical to assign one to each Lorried Infantry battalion in the armoured division. They could however be used flexibly. Since the platoons were usually operating independently and at some distance from company headquarters they had to be able to either support themselves, or depend on the battalion they were serving for supplies, medical services and vehicle recovery and repair. There is no mention of a means of communication with infantry. The Wireless set No19 was for communication with company headquarters and possibly between platoons. Presumably either a Wireless set No38 was provided or the infantry battalion provided communications for the medium machine gun platoon. Three MMG platoon each- Platoon headquarters Carrier, Universal Subaltern, 2 X driver operator Carries Wireless set No19 and Wireless set No18 Motorcycle orderly Carrier, Universal serjeant, batman, driver mechanic Carries ammunition and stores Carries PIAT 15cwt GS 4 X MMG numbers, driver IC Carries stores and ammunition Carries a Bren lmg section 1 Carrier, Universal serjeant, rangetaker, driver mechanic Carries ammunition and equipment Carrier, MMG corporal MMG number, 2 X MMG number, driver mechanic Carries a .303” Medium Machine Gun Carries 12 X boxes of ammunition. Carrier, MMG corporal MMG number, 2 X MMG number, driver mechanic Carries a .303” Medium Machine Gun Carries 12 X boxes of ammunition. section 2 Carrier, Universal serjeant, rangetaker, driver mechanic Carrier, MMG corporal MMG number, 2 X MMG number, driver mechanic Carries a .303” Medium Machine Gun Carries 12 X boxes of ammunition. Carrier, MMG corporal MMG number, 2 X MMG number, driver mechanic Carries a .303” Medium Machine Gun Carries 12 X boxes of ammunition. MMG platoon 2. Carrier, Universal Subaltern, 2 X driver operator Carries Wireless set No22 Motorcycle orderly Carrier, Universal Serjeant, batman, driver mechanic 15cwt GS 4 X MMG numbers, driver IC section 1 Carrier, Universal serjeant, rangetaker, driver mechanic Carrier, MMG corporal MMG number, 2 X MMG number, driver mechanic Carries a .303” Medium Machine Gun Carries 12 X boxes of ammunition. Carrier, MMG corporal MMG number, 2 X MMG number, driver mechanic Carries a .303” Medium Machine Gun Carries 12 X boxes of ammunition. section 2 Carrier, Universal serjeant, rangetaker, driver mechanic Carrier, MMG corporal MMG number, 2 X MMG number, driver mechanic Carries a .303” Medium Machine Gun Carries 12 X boxes of ammunition. Carrier, MMG corporal MMG number, 2 X MMG number, driver mechanic Carries a .303” Medium Machine Gun Carries 12 X boxes of ammunition. MMG platoon 3. Carrier, Universal Subaltern, 2 X driver operator Carries Wireless set No22 Motorcycle orderly Carrier, Universal Serjeant, batman, driver mechanic 15cwt GS 4 X MMG numbers, driver IC section 1 Carrier, Universal serjeant, rangetaker, driver mechanic Carrier, MMG corporal MMG number, 2 X MMG number, driver mechanic Carries a .303” Medium Machine Gun Carries 12 X boxes of ammunition. Carrier, MMG corporal MMG number, 2 X MMG number, driver mechanic Carries a .303” Medium Machine Gun Carries 12 X boxes of ammunition. section 2 Carrier, Universal serjeant, rangetaker, driver mechanic Carrier, MMG corporal MMG number, 2 X MMG number, driver mechanic Carries a .303” Medium Machine Gun Carries 12 X boxes of ammunition. Carrier, MMG corporal MMG number, 2 X MMG number, driver mechanic Carries a .303” Medium Machine Gun Carries 12 X boxes of ammunition. A Bren gun and PIAT per platoon were issued for local defence. Deployment of the Medium Machine Gun platoon was much as for other support weapons. The platoon commander would receive his orders from the Commanding Officer of the unit being supported and then carry out a reconnaissance. He would then select positions for the gun sections. The platoon commander may then position himself at the headquarters of the lorried infantry battalion, leaving the serjeant to deal with administrative matters and the implementation of orders. The .303” Medium Machine Gun. This was an old but still effective design. It was water cooled and was capable of keeping up a sustained fire as long as ammunition lasted. The effective range was 800 yards and the rate of fire was 500 rounds per minute. The crew was three men The gunner, who was a lance corporal, fired the gun and carried the tripod. The loader, who carried the gun and condenser pipe. In action he ensured that the ammunition belts fed into the gun correctly and fitted new belts as required. The ammunition number who carried 2 X 250 round ammunition boxes and the condenser can. Ammunition came in wooden boxes each containing two metal boxes. Each metal box carried a 250 belt round of ammunition. For mobile action the machine gun could be fired from the pedestal mount on the carriers engine cover. This was somewhat awkward when firing at some angles, and was definitely exposed. Normally the guns would be demounted and fired from the tripod. This could be used to give covering fire in an attack or when well dug in to give defensive fire. Since the tripod and sight gave considerable accuracy, and the rangefinders gave the range it was possible to use the machine gun to fire on invisible targets in a role similar to the gunners indirect fire. In defence they were often used to fire along fixed lines. These denied certain areas to an attacking enemy. Alternatively the defences were arranged so that the enemy were funnelled into the machine guns arc of fire. The 4.2” mortar. This heavy mortar was developed originally for firing chemical shells and was used by the Royal Engineers. When it was seen the great effect that German Nebelwerfer mortars had it was decided to use the 4 .2” mortar as a support weapon firing high explosive. Note that the Nebelwerfer was also developed originally as a chemical warfare weapon. Nebelwerfer = smoke mortar. The range of the 4.2” mortar could be from 1000 yards to 3,750 yards. The rate of fire was eight to ten rounds per minute as long as the ammunition and crews energy lasted. The crew was four men. The mortar was broken into three loads for transport, the tube, the tripod and the baseplate. An extended baseplate was introduced for use on soft ground.