Around 01/08/1941 the existing six LRDG patrols, R,T,W,G,S,Y. were split up to create twelve smaller patrols. What were their twelve designations?
Maybe: Long Range Desert Group - Wikipedia In October 1941 the LRDG was expanded to 10 patrols by the simple method of splitting the existing patrols into two-half patrols; the New Zealanders formed A Squadron comprising 'R1', 'R2', 'T1', and 'T2' Patrols and the British and Rhodesians formed B Squadron comprising 'G1', 'G2', 'S1', 'S2', 'Y1', and 'Y2' Patrols. The 'H' Patrol had been disbanded in September 1941 after three months service.[20] These two squadrons were joined in December 1941 by the Indian Long Range Squadron, which had been formed by volunteers from the 2nd Lancers, 11th Cavalry and the 18th Cavalry, all part of the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade.[21] The Indian Squadron was organized along ethnic and religious lines with the first two patrols originally known as 'J' (Jats) and 'R' (Rajput) Patrols. Their designations were changed to 'I1' and 'I2' to avoid confusion.[21] In October 1942 two further Indian patrols were formed: 'M' (Muslim) and 'S' (Sikh) Patrols, which became the 'I3' and 'I4' Patrols.[21] No. 1 Demolition Squadron, nicknamed "Popski's Private Army" and commanded by Major Vladimir 'Popski' Peniakoff, was briefly attached to the LRDG beginning in December 1942. [22] The vehicles of each patrol adopted their own markings. The New Zealand 'R' Patrol used a green Hei-tiki with a red tongue painted on the right side of the bonnet of the vehicle, and on the left a Māori place name beginning with the letter 'R' (for example, 'Rotowaro').[23] The 'T' Patrol vehicles had a black Kiwi over green 'grass' and a Māori name starting with 'Te' (for example, 'Te Anau') in the corresponding places.[23] The 'W' Patrol vehicles had a Māori name or word starting with 'W' painted on their vehicles.[23] The British 'G' Patrol vehicles carried no distinctive markings, although some vehicles had the Guards insignia. They took over 'W' Patrol's vehicles when that unit was disbanded.[23] The 'Y' Patrol vehicles were slightly different; 'Y1' half-patrol vehicles all had names of famous drinking establishments (such as 'Cock O' The North') and 'Y2' half-patrol had names from the "Three Musketeers" books (for example, 'Aramis') on the left sides of their vehicle bonnets.[23] The Headquarters Section used a sequence of letters arranged in a square (see photo of "Louise").[24] The Rhodesian 'S' Patrol vehicles had names with a Rhodesian connection (such as 'Salisbury') painted on the left side of the vehicles' bonnets.[23] By 1943 the practice of naming replacement vehicles was dropped. TD
From memory David I think that letter designations were retained with the addition of a numerical designation e.g. R1. R2 etc. I'll dig some books out and double check (to see if this old codger has remembered correctly!) Kind regards, always, Jim.
Does this page from the Osprey Vanguard 36 book on the LRDG help ? Edit. Image removed as David couldnt read it.
Excellent Owen (hope Clive notices how handy those Osprey's can be!) Below as a belated extra (I must have posted this before somewhere but I can't for the life of me remember where (or why!) at the moment). Kind regards, always, Jim.
Hi TD. Thanks. I've just been reading "Providence their guide", and it makes no mention of H patrol. Do you know when W patrol was disbanded?
5th Dec 1940. G Ptl joined. W Ptl was disbanded . It's equipment went to G Ptl, its personnel brought R& T Ptls up to strength.
A couple more questions if I may.... Does anyone have any details of the composition of the Heavy (M/H) section? Does anyone have any further details on the service history of the Indian Long Range Service? They are a new unit to me. Thanks again one and all.
If TD's beaten me to this I'm chucking the towel in (and the stool too!) Indian Long Range Squadron Kind regards, always, Jim.
Try this then . Greyscale & a bit larger. Just checking that you are clicking on the arrow top right of image (see yellow circle in 2nd image) to increase it's viewable dimensions ?
Yes, I am doing that. The latest scan is just about readable, I am looking at it now. Thanks for your continued assistance.