T Force. any idea what it was

Discussion in 'Higher Formations' started by morrisc8, Jul 5, 2013.

  1. morrisc8

    morrisc8 Under the Bed

    Can anyone tell me what T Force was as i have some photos from a war correspondent in germany, taken in 1945 at T force HQ and a billet he stayed in [ Manchester House ] . there is some info on the back of the photos, he all so took photos of the Krupp works at Essen. There is a number 8 and a letter T on the Humber car.
    Keith
     

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  2. morrisc8

    morrisc8 Under the Bed

    Here is the info on the back of the photos. All the photos are original, from my collection.
    Keith
     

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  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I had a quick search of war diaries and there's a diary in 1946 for a T Force with the additional info of 'Eqpt Evacuation Depot'. Not sure if that helps?
     
  4. morrisc8

    morrisc8 Under the Bed

    Thanks Andy, That was quick, i think you are spot on as the other photos show the Krupp works and the Equipment there and a dam. So they must have been looking for heavy German equipment, like the press and other factory machines. Can you show any of the war diaries.
    Keith
     

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  5. snailer

    snailer Country Member

    Hi
    This is a reply from a query on the British Military Badge Forum:

    "I recently read a book about "T Force", who were a unit of composed of infantry (drawn from the Royal Berkshire Regiment), Royal Engineers and civilian scientists.

    Their role was to secure and exploit targets that could provide valuable scientific and military intelligence. This expanded to targets of economic intelligence value.

    In the book they stated that the battalion the force was based on (I can't remember which battalion of the Royal Berkshires it was) was severely undermanned. To build up numbers, they drafted infantrymen from other regiments, Royal Marine landing craft crews, artillery men and excess pilots and aircrew from the RAF. The book stated that several of the ex RAF men continued to wear their wings on the khaki battledress.

    I can't remember the title of the book, but if interested will find out for you.

    Correct. T Force was based on three battalions: 5 King's, 1 Bucks Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI and 30 R Berks. 5 King's became available when 5 Beach Group was disbanded, 1 Bucks Bn, having been in 6 Beach Group, was released from its duties as a Brussels Garrison battalion to join T Force and 30 R Berks had been destined to be part of the garrison of the Channel Islands. Disappointingly T Force never had its own sign, but did paint a large white T on its vehicles. Support was provided by two BD Coys RE and a number of Pioneer Smoke Coys.
    "


    http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-19268.html

    Rgds

    Pete
     
  6. PsyWar.Org

    PsyWar.Org Archive monkey

    There will also be a number of T Force files in FO 1031. It was part of the control commission and was tasked with finding German scientists and technology. Rather like the British version of the Paperclip Conspiracy but, if I remember correctly, T Force was more interested in chemical engineering than rocket science.
     
  7. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Keith - I don't have any of them. It was just what turned up in a search of the National Archives war diaries. Looks like Pete and Lee have solved the puzzle though.
     
  8. morrisc8

    morrisc8 Under the Bed

    Two photos of the machines at Krupps works. Look at the size of the press with the guy next to it.
    Keith
     

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  9. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  10. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I have the R Berks history so I'll check that later for you.
     
  11. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

  12. Staffsyeoman

    Staffsyeoman Member

    There was a book on T Force about 3 years ago - "T Force The Forgotten Heroes of 1945" by Sean Longden. Bit journalistic and lays on (too) thick the role played by Ian Fleming in its formation. But it is a complete account. The adjutant of the unit was Maj Tony Hibbert who had been the Bde Maj of 1st Parachute Bde at Arnhem.
     
  13. morrisc8

    morrisc8 Under the Bed

    I wonder how much of the Krupps machines were sent to the UK and other countries, The 8 on the Humber must be 8 Corps. Thanks for all your replies, it helps to put the history/info back with the photos. Photos of a visit to the Mohne Dam by the same unit..
    Keith


    Quote from the book "T Force The Forgotten Heroes of 1945" by Sean Longden.

    " vast blast furnaces in Ruhr Valley steel works that were dismantled and shipped back to England"
     

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  14. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

  15. morrisc8

    morrisc8 Under the Bed

    I wonder if the owner knows what the house was used for by the British at the end of the war. T Force HQ. Good photos of it. Thanks Cee. Just seen there website and it is used for weddings .
    Keith
     
  16. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    I couldn't find any evidence for that on the few web based histories for the building, but Google Translation is not the best. It's a pretty posh venue nowadays.

    http://www.schloss-eicherhof.de/

    Regards ..
     
  17. morrisc8

    morrisc8 Under the Bed

    On the back of some photos it says T force HQ and billets at Lohne ? but the Schloss Eicherhof in Leichlingen was the mess.
    Keith
     
  18. morrisc8

    morrisc8 Under the Bed

  19. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    morrisc8,

    I hesitate to post this not being familiar with Germany, but it appears that Lohne and Leichlingen are two separate locations 230 km apart. Hopefully someone more familiar with the region can correct me if wrong.

    Regards ..
     

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  20. morrisc8

    morrisc8 Under the Bed

    It looks to be a long way between them, long way to get a drink. :( in the mess.
     

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