AIRBORNE RECONNAISSANCE 1 Airborne Division had an Air Landing Reconnaissance Squadron which used armed jeeps, although its personnel were trained parachutists and could operate without vehicles. 6 Airborne Division had a much larger and more heavily armed Airborne Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment. This needed heavy Hamilcar gliders to land its heavier vehicles. AIR LANDING RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON War Establishment 1/262/3 with an effective date of March 1944 There was only one Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron. This was formed as the reconnaissance unit of 1 Airborne Division. Originally it was a glider borne unit and therefore its title was Airlanding Reconnaissance Squadron. It was decided in early 1944 that the squadron would parachute into action and collect the glider borne jeeps on landing. The War establishment used here reflects this. The War Establishment for the Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron is WE I/261/3 with an effective date of 15 March 1944. This was eventually superseded by WE 1/261/4 in March 1945. In the NW Europe Theatre the Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron only saw action once, at Arnhem Personnel Major, Officer Commanding 6 X Captain Subaltern, Technical Officer Subaltern, Signal Officer Subaltern, Intelligence Officer 10 X subaltern Squadron Serjeant Major signal serjeant intelligence serjeant transport serjeant mechanist serjeant serjeant clerk 6 X serjeant 21 X corporal 149 X trooper 3 X clerk 47 X driver operator 13 X driver mechanic equipment repairer 2 X technical storeman 6 X vehicle mechanic 22 X batman 12 X driver IC intelligence corporal 9 X motorcyclist 36 X lmg numbers 16 X mortarman storeman 17 X motorcycle 41 X jeep 12 X lightweight trailer GS 1 X lightweight trailer binned 1 X lightweight trailer water 1 X car 4 seater 2 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS Organisation Squadron Headquarters Motorcycle 1 Signal Officer Motorcycle 2 signal serjeant Motorcycle 3 Squadron Serjeant Major Motorcycle 4 intelligence Serjeant Motorcycle 5 intelligence corporal Motorcycle 6 Technical Officer Motorcycle 7 motorcyclist Motorcycle 8 motorcyclist Motorcycle 9 motorcyclist 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 Major, Captain, batman, corporal driver operator Carries Wireless set No 22 Carries a Vickers K machine gun Carries a Bren lmg 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 Captain, corporal clerk, batman, driver operator Carries a Wireless set No 22 and 80 watt charging set Carries a Vickers K Carries a Bren lmg 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 3 Intelligence Officer, batman, driver operator, driver IC Tows a lightweight trailer Carries a Vickers K Carries a Bren lmg Headquarters troop Headquarters 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) Captain, batman, corporal driver operator, driver IC Carries a Wireless set No 22 Tows a trailer with quartermaster stores Carries a Vickers K Carries a Bren lmg Carries a PIAT Intercommunication section Motorcycle serjeant Motorcycle 2 corporal motorcyclist Motorcycle 3 motorcyclict Motorcycle 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle 5 motorcyclist Motorcycle 6 motorcyclist Administrative section 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 Quartermaster, clerk, batman, driver operator Carries a Wireless set No 22 and 80 watt charging set Tows a trailer with quartermaster stores Carries a Vickers K machine gun Carries a Bren lmg 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 squadron quartermaster serjeant, clerk, batman, driver IC Tows a trailer with quartermaster stores Carries a Vickers K machine gun 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 3 transport serjeant, batman, driver IC Tows a water trailer Carries a Vickers K machine gun 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 4 mechanist serjeant, vehicle mechanic Tows a trailer with MT stores Carries a Vickers K machine gun Carries a Bren gun 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 5 vehicle mechanics Tows a trailer with MT stores and tools Carries a Vickers K machine gun 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 6 serjeant armourer REME, batman, driver IC Tows a trailer with binned stores Carries a Vickers K machine gun 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 7 equipment repairer, batman, vehicle mechanic Tows a trailer Carries a Vickers K machine gun 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 8 Medical Officer, corporal nursing orderly RAMC, 2 X nursing orderly RAMC Tows a trailer with medical supplies Carries a Vickers K machine gun Non Airborne component Car four seater driver IC For the use of the commanding officer 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 1 serjeant clerk, serjeant, clerk, 2 X technical storeman, storeman, driver IC Carries stores 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS 2 corporal cook, 5 X cook, driver IC Carries cooking set and rations. The War Establishment table does not assign personnel to these three vehicles. Troop. Headquarters 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 Captain, corporal driver operator, driver operator, driver mechanic Carries a Wireless set No 22 and a Wireless set No 38 plus a 80watt charging set. Carries a Vickers K machine gun Carries a PIAT Carries a Bren lmg 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 serjeant, batman, 2 X driver operator Carries a Wireless set No 22 and a Wireless set No 38 Carries a Vickers K machine gun Carries a Bren lmg Section 1 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 Subaltern, 2 X lmg numbers, 2 X driver operator Carries a Wireless set No 22 and a Wireless set No 38 plus an 80watt charging set Carries a Vickers K machine gun Carries 2 X lmg 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 lance serjeant driver operator, 2 X lmg numbers, batman, driver mechanic. Carries a Wireless set No 38 Carries a Vickers K machine gun Carries 2 X Bren lmg Carries a 2” mortar Section 2 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 Subaltern, 2 X lmg numbers, 2 X driver operator Carries a Wireless set No 22 and a Wireless set No 38 plus an 80watt charging set Carries a Vickers K machine gun Carries 2 X lmg 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 lance serjeant driver operator, 2 X lmg numbers, batman, driver mechanic. Carries a Wireless set No 38 Carries a Vickers K machine gun Carries 2 X Bren lmg Carries a 2” mortar Section 3 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 Subaltern, 2 X lmg numbers, 2 X driver operator Carries a Wireless set No 22 and a Wireless set No 38 plus an 80watt charging set Carries a Vickers K machine gun Carries 2 X lmg 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 lance serjeant driver operator, 2 X lmg numbers, batman, driver mechanic. Carries a Wireless set No 38 Carries a Vickers K machine gun Carries 2 X Bren lmg Carries a 2” mortar Support troop Headquarters Motorcycle 1 serjeant Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) Subaltern, batman, driver operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No 38 Carries a Vickers K machine gun Carries a Bren lmg Carries a PIAT Section 1 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) corporal mortarman, 3 X mortarman, driver IC Carries a Wireless set No 38 Carries a Vickers K machine gun Carries a Bren lmg Tows a trailer with a 3” mortar and ammunition. Section 2 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) corporal mortarman, 3 X mortarman, driver IC Carries a Wireless set No 38 Carries a Vickers K machine gun Carries a Bren lmg Tows a trailer with a 3” mortar and ammunition. Section 3 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) corporal mortarman, 3 X mortarman, driver IC Carries a Wireless set No 38 Carries a Vickers K machine gun Carries a Bren lmg Tows a trailer with a 3” mortar and ammunition. Section 4 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) corporal mortarman, 3 X mortarman, driver IC Carries a Wireless set No 38 Carries a Vickers K machine gun Carries a Bren lmg Tows a trailer with a 3” mortar and ammunition. AIRBORNE ARMOURED RECONNAISSANCE REGIMENT The Airborne Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment served with 6 Airborne Division, 1 Airborne Division having a reconnaissance squadron which was not armoured. In 1941 three Special Service Squadrons of tanks were formed. These were to take part in raiding expeditions along with the Commandos and Parachute troops. In 1942 two squadrons were disbanded and the remaining squadron became the Airborne Light Tank Squadron RAC. It was part of 1 Airborne Division until that unit went to the Mediterranean when it transferred to 6 Airborne Division. Before the landings in Europe the unit was expanded into a regiment. The organisation used until autumn 1944 was one in which the light tank squadron remained complete as A squadron and a B squadron was formed with scout cars and carriers together with infantry on motorcycles and 3” mortars. On D Day thirty Hamilcar gliders flew in twenty Tetrach light tanks and ten carriers to hold the British flank. Other troops and vehicles flew in Horsa gliders. After ten days the unit was withdrawn but the light tanks returned to give support to the ground troops. Later the light tanks were withdrawn and replaced by Cromwell tanks which the Reconnaissance Regiment kept in the line until the end of August. Starting in September the regiment began to re organise with a support squadron and two identical reconnaissance squadrons. The Cromwell tanks became a permanent part of the establishment. In December the regiment was sent to the Ardennes with the 6 Airborne Division and used its Cromwells, carriers and some armed jeeps in support of the paratroops and airlanding troops. A small group of the regiment were flown across the Rhine on March 24th and the entire regiment, including its Cromwell tanks, took part in the advance into Germany. The original War Establishment table was 1/371/1 with an effective date of January 1944. This was replaced by a War Establishment table with a different number, rather then a modification of the original. This was WE I/138/1 with an effective date of October 1944. AIRBORNE ARMOURED RECONNAISSANCE REGIMENT 1/137/1 January 1944 Personnel Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Officer Major, second in command Major, tank squadron Captain, adjutant Captain, technical officer 5 X Captain Intelligence Officer Signal Officer 16 X Subaltern Quartermaster Regimental Serjeant Major Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant Technical Quartermaster Serjeant Mechanist Quartermaster Serjeant 3 X Squadron Serjeant Major squadron quartermaster serjeant serjeant mechanist serjeant clerk serjeant technical storeman transport serjeant 16 X serjeant 29 X corporal 210 X trooper Attached Medical Officer RAMC serjeant armourer REME lance corporal armourer REME 2 X officers mess cook ACC 6 X cook ACC Total 358 5 X clerk 26 X driver mechanic AFV 8 X driver mechanic 30 X driver operators 2 X electrician 24 X gunner operator 2 X technical storeman 14 X vehicle mechanic 17 X batman butchery dutyman 26 drivers IC medical officers orderly 15 X maintenance party 56 X motorcyclist provost corporal sanitary dutyman storeman water dutyman Note: Three Officers and 25 other ranks may be parachutists and will be eligible for parachute pay. One officer and five rank and file will be trained in anti gas duties and decontamination work. Vehicles 40 X lightweight motorcycle 22 X motorcycle 2 X car 4 X 4 19 X jeep 1 X 15cwt GS 1 X 15cwt water 4 X 3ton GS 26 X Universal Carrier 2 X Carrier 3” mortar 1 X carrier Starting and Charging 17 X Light Tank 3 X Light Tank, Close Support 12 X Rota trailer 1 X trailer binned stores 20 X Bren gun 4 X PIAT 6 X 2” mortar 2 X 3” mortar Organisation Headquarters 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 Subaltern (troop commander), spare corporal gunner operator, driver IC Carries No 22 wireless set Carries 80watt charging set Carries a Bren lmg 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 Adjutant, Regimental Serjeant Major, driver operator Carries No 22 wireless set Carries 80watt charging set Light Tank 1 Lieutenant Colonel, Signal Officer, corporal driver mechanic Light tank 2 Major, signalman RS, driver mechanic. Note: The Intelligence Officer will be carried in the transport of Airborne Divisional Signals. Headquarters Squadron Squadron Headquarters 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 Captain, squadron serjeant major, driver operator Carries a Wireless set No 22 Parachute Harbour Party Captain Serjeant 2 X corporal 6 X trooper Intercommunication troop Motorcycle lightweight 1 serjeant motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 2 provost corporal Motorcycle lightweight 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 5 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 6 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 7 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 8 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 9 vehicle mechanic Motorcycle lightweight 10 vehicle mechanic Administrative troop Airborne 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 Subaltern, spare driver IC, corporal driver IC 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 Quartermaster, spare driver IC, driver IC 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 3 Medical Officer, medical officers orderly, driver IC (trained in water duties) 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 4 Technical Officer, signalman RS (for rear link), driver operator Carries Wireless set No 22 Carries Bren lmg 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 5 mechanist quartermaster serjeant, 2 X vehicle mechanics Carries PIAT 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 6 mechanist serjeant, 2 X vehicle mechanic Carries PIAT 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 7 transport serjeant, corporal clerk, vehicle mechanic Carries PIAT 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 8 serjeant armourer REME, armourer REME, driver IC Carries PIAT 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 9 2 X electrician, driver IC Carrier Starting and Charging (Loyd Carrier) Signalman RS, vehicle mechanic Landing Head Party The following personnel and trailers are airborne but remain at the landing head 6 X vehicle mechanic storeman technical Spare crews Serjeant 2 X corporal driver operator 6 X driver mechanic AFV 6 X driver operator 6 X gunner operator Maintenance and loading party 15 X trooper 12 X Rota trailer 1 X 10cwt trailer The Rota trailer was never used in action. It was one of those ideas which seemed good at the time, and perhaps looked good in trials, but never worked in reality. Probably 10cwt lightweight trailers were used instead. Seaborne Party It was intended that this party would go by sea and land to a point near to the intended airborne landing. They would join the regiment as soon as possible and either support them in further action, or feed clothe and repair men and equipment before they were withdrawn. Motorcycle 1 squadron quartermaster serjeant Motorcycle 2 serjeant 4 seater car 4 X 4 (Humber FWD Heavy Utility) Subaltern, serjeant clerk, batman, corporal driver IC This car for the use of the commanding officer 4 seater car 4 X 4 (Humber FWD Heavy Utility) 2 X batman, driver IC This car for the use of the Major second in command 15cwt truck GS sanitary dutyman, 2 X batman, driver IC Carries medical stores 15cwt water truck (Bedford MW) water dutyman, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 corporal cook, 7 X cook, butchery dutyman, driver IC Carries cookers and rations 3ton 4 X 4 GS 2 Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant, technical storeman, 4 X batman, driver IC Carries QM stores Carries a Bren lmg 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 3 4 X batman, storeman, 3 X clerk, driver IC Carries anti gas clothing and stores 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 quartermaster serjeant technical, serjeant storeman technical, 4 X batman, clerk, driver IC Carries Technical Stores Note: The four clerks in the non airborne administrative troop were assigned as follows One for the technical office One for the headquarters squadron One for regimental headquarters One for the quartermasters office Reconnaissance Squadron. Headquarters Motorcycle lightweight 1 corporal motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 2 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 5 motorcyclist 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) Captain, driver operator, driver IC Carries Wireless set No22 Carrier Universal serjeant, driver operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No19 Carries 2” mortar Carries 2 X Bren lmg Troop 1 Motorcycle lightweight 1 corporal motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 2 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 5 motorcyclist 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) Subaltern, driver operator, driver IC Carries Wireless set No22 Carries an 80watt charging set Carrier Universal serjeant, driver operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No19 Carries 2” mortar Carries 2 X Bren lmg Troop 2 Motorcycle lightweight 1 corporal motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 2 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 5 motorcyclist 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) Subaltern, driver operator, driver IC Carries Wireless set No22 Carries an 80watt charging set Carrier Universal serjeant, driver operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No19 Carries 2” mortar Carries 2 X Bren lmg Troop 3 Motorcycle lightweight 1 corporal motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 2 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 5 motorcyclist 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) Subaltern, driver operator, driver IC Carries Wireless set No22 Carries an 80watt charging set Carrier Universal serjeant, driver operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No19 Carries 2” mortar Carries 2 X Bren lmg Troop 4 Motorcycle lightweight 1 corporal motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 2 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 5 motorcyclist 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) Subaltern, driver operator, driver IC Carries Wireless set No22 Carries an 80watt charging set Carrier Universal serjeant, driver operator, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No19 Carries 2” mortar Carries 2 X Bren lmg Tank Squadron Headquarters Light Tank, Close Support 1 Major, corporal gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Light Tank, Close Support 2 Captain, Squadron Serjeant Major, driver mechanic AFV Light Tank, Close Support 3 Subaltern, gunner operator, corporal driver mechanic AFV Troop 1 Light Tank 1 Subaltern, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Light Tank 2 serjeant, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Light Tank 3 corporal driver operator, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Troop 2 Light Tank 1 Subaltern, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Light Tank 2 serjeant, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Light Tank 3 corporal driver operator, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Troop 3 Light Tank 1 Subaltern, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Light Tank 2 serjeant, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Light Tank 3 corporal driver operator, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Troop 4 Light Tank 1 Subaltern, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Light Tank 2 serjeant, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Light Tank 3 corporal driver operator, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Troop 5 Light Tank 1 Subaltern, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Light Tank 2 serjeant, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Light Tank 3 corporal driver operator, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Support Squadron Motorcycle lightweight 1 corporal motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 2 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle lightweight 5 motorcyclist 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) Captain, driver operator, driver IC Carries Wireless set No22 Carries an 80watt charging engine Carries a bren lmg 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) Subaltern, squadron serjeant major, driver operator Carries Wireless set No22 Carries an 80watt charging engine Carries a bren lmg Support Troop Carrier 3” Mortar 1 Subaltern, spare driver operator, 2 X spare driver IC, corporal driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No18 Carries 3” mortar Carrier 3” Mortar 2 serjeant, spare driver operator, 2 X spare driver IC, corporal driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No18 Carries 3” mortar Assault Troop Motorcycle 1 corporal motorcyclist Motorcycle 2 corporal motorcyclist Motorcycle 3 corporal motorcyclist Motorcycle 4 corporal motorcyclist Motorcycle 5 motorcyclist Motorcycle 6 motorcyclist Motorcycle 7 motorcyclist Motorcycle 8 motorcyclist Motorcycle 9 motorcyclist Motorcycle 10 motorcyclist Motorcycle 11 motorcyclist Motorcycle 12 motorcyclist Motorcycle 13 motorcyclist Motorcycle 14 motorcyclist Motorcycle 15 motorcyclist Motorcycle 16 motorcyclist Motorcycle 17 motorcyclist Motorcycle 18 motorcyclist Motorcycle 19 motorcyclist Motorcycle 20 motorcyclist Carrier Universal Subaltern, serjeant, driver mechanic Carries Wireless set No19 Carries 2” mortar Carries 2 X Bren lmg Airborne Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment 1/138/1 October 1944 Personnel Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Officer Major, second in command 3 X Major Captain, adjutant Captain, technical officer 5 X Captain Intelligence Officer Signal Officer 16 X Subaltern Quartermaster Regimental Serjeant Major Regimental Quartermaster Serjeant Technical Quartermaster Serjeant Mechanist Quartermaster Serjeant 4 X Squadron Serjeant Major 4 X squadron quartermaster serjeant serjeant mechanict serjeant clerk serjeant technical storeman transport serjeant 17 X serjeant 31 X corporal 252 X trooper Attached Medical Officer RAMC serjeant armourer REME lance corporal armourer REME 2 X officers mess cook ACC 6 X cook ACC Total 358 5 X clerk 20 X driver mechanic AFV 24 X driver mechanic 59 X driver operators 2 X electrician 15 X gunner operator 2 X technical storeman 16 X vehicle mechanic 10 X batman 4 X batman driver butchery dutyman 43 drivers IC medical officers orderly 4 X mortarman 47 X motorcyclist 26 X machine gunner provost corporal sanitary dutyman storeman water dutyman Vehicles 53 X motorcycle 2 X car 4 X 4 27 X jeep 1 X 15cwt water 5 X 3ton GS 1 X 3ton kitchen 20 X scout car 20 X Universal Carrier 1 X carrier Starting and Charging 8 X Light Tank 8 X Cruiser tank 25 X trailer 1 X trailer binned stores 4 X mortar trailer 2 X water trailer 48 X Bren gun 8 X Medium Machine Gun 13 X PIAT 12 X 2” mortar 4 X 4.2” mortar 6 X Boyes anti tank Organisation Headquarters Motorcycle 1 Liaison Officer Motorcycle 2 corporal motorcyclist Motorcycle 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle 5 Motorcyclist Motorcycle 6 motorcyclist Motorcycle 7 motorcyclist Motorcycle 8 motorcyclist Motorcycle 9 motorcyclist Motorcycle 10 motorcyclist 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 Lieutenant Colonel, Adjutant Carries a Wireless set No 22 Carries a Bren lmg 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 Intelligence officer, operator RS, driver operator Carries a Wireless set No 22 Carries a Bren lmg 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 3 Major second in command, serjeant clerk, driver operator Carries a Wireless set No 22 Carries a PIAT One of these jeeps tows a lightweight trailer Scout Car 1 Signal Officer, corporal driver operator Carries a Wireless set No 19 Carries a PIAT Scout Car 2 Regimental Serjeant Major, driver operator. Carries a Wireless set No 19 Carries a PIAT Headquarters Squadron Squadron Headquarters 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 Major, squadron serjeant major, driver operator Carries a Wireless set No 22 Intercommunication troop Motorcycle 1 serjeant motorcyclist Motorcycle 2 corporal motorcyclist Motorcycle 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle 5 motorcyclist Motorcycle 6 motorcyclist Motorcycle 7 motorcyclist Motorcycle 8 motorcyclist Motorcycle 9 vehicle mechanic Motorcycle 10 vehicle mechanic Administrative troop Airborne 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 Quartermaster, squadron quartermaster serjeant, serjeant, driver IC Carries a Bren lmg Tows 2 X lightweight trailer 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 Technical Officer, vehicle mechanic Tows 2 X lightweight trailer Carries a Wireless set No22 Carries a PIAT 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 3 Subaltern, clerk Tows 2 X lightweight trailer 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 4 mechanist quartermaster serjeant, 2 X vehicle mechanic Tows 2 X lightweight trailer Carries a Bren lmg 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 5 Medical Officer, medical officers orderly, driver IC (trained in water duties) Tows 2 X lightweight trailer 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 6 mechanist serjeant, 2 X vehicle mechanic Tows 2 X lightweight trailer Carries a Bren lmg 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 7 serjeant armourer REME, armourer REME, relief driver mechanic, driver IC Tows a lightweight trailer and a lightweight binned stores trailer Carries a Bren lmg 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 8 transport serjeant, relief driver IC, driver IC Tows 2 X lightweight trailer Carries a PIAT 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 9 provost corporal, 2 X vehicle mechanic Tows 2 X lightweight trailer Carries a PIAT 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 10 corporal driver IC, 2 X vehicle mechanic Tows 2 X lightweight trailer Carries a PIAT 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 11 vehicle mechanic, driver mechanic, relief driver IC Tows 2 X lightweight trailer 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 12 vehicle mechanic, driver mechanic, relief driver IC Tows 2 X lightweight trailer 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 13 vehicle mechanic, driver mechanic, relief driver IC Tows 2 X lightweight trailer Two of the lightweight trailers are lightweight water trailers. Carrier Starting and Charging (Loyd Carrier) Electrician, vehicle mechanic Seaborne Party It was intended that this party would go by sea and land to a point near to the intended airborne landing. They would join the regiment as soon as possible and either support them in further action, or feed clothe and repair men and equipment before they were withdrawn. 4 seater car 4 X 4 (Humber FWD Heavy Utility) 2 X batman driver This vehicle for the use of the Commanding Officer 4 seater car 4 X 4 (Humber FWD Heavy Utility) 2 X batman driver This vehicle for the use of Major Second in Command 15cwt water truck (Bedford MW) water dutyman, driver IC 3ton 4 X 4 GS 1 Subaltern, technical storeman, driver IC Carries Quartermaster Stores Carries a Bren lmg 3 ton 4 X 4 GS 2 technical quartermaster serjeant, serjeant technical storeman, technical storeman, clerk, driver IC Carries Technical Stores 3ton 4 X 4 GS 3 vehicle mechanic, storeman, 4 X batman, driver IC Carries anti gas stores and clothing 3ton 4 X 4 GS 4 2 X clerk, 3 X batman, sanitary dutyman, corporal driver IC Carries petrol Carries a Bren lmg 3ton 4 X 4 GS 5 corporal clerk, electrician, 3 X batman, driver IC Carries ammunition 3ton 4 X 4 Kitchen corporal cook, 7 X cook, butchery dutyman, driver IC Cruiser tank 1 Captain, serjeant, relief driver mechanic AFV, driver mechanic AFV Cruiser tank 2 corporal driver operator, 2 X driver operator, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Cruiser tank 3 corporal driver operator, 2 X driver operator, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Cruiser tank 4 corporal driver operator, relief gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Cruiser tank 5 corporal driver operator, relief gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Cruiser tank 6 gunner operator, relief driver mechanic AFV, driver mechanic AFV Cruiser tank 7 gunner operator, relief driver mechanic AFV, driver mechanic AFV Cruiser tank 8 gunner operator, relief driver mechanic AFV, driver mechanic AFV Note that some of the cruiser tanks do not have a full crew. It was not intended that the cruiser tanks be used at the same time as the light tanks. The light tank could be flown in by Hamilcar glider. As soon as possible the seaborne party joined the regiment and the light tanks were withdrawn. Full crews could then be made up from the crews of the light tanks and those accompanying the cruiser tanks. On occasion the cruiser tanks were used in support of airborne forces operating in a normal ground role. This happened in Normandy where the airborne division held a stretch of line for some weeks. Again in the Ardennes airborne forces were called on to hold a sector of the line. Finally in the advance into Germany after the Rhine Crossing the airborne troops were in the fore front. The Cromwells were used in all three of these actions. Support Squadron. Headquarters Motorcycle 1 Squadron Serjeant Major Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Motorcycle 3 motorcyclist 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) Captain, squadron quartermaster serjeant, 2 X driver operator Carries a Wireless set No 22 Carries a Bren lmg Scout car Subaltern, driver operator Carries a Wireless set No19 and 2 X Wireless set No 38. MMG troop 1 Carrier Universal MMG Subaltern, driver operator, machine gunner, driver mechanic Carries a Vickers .303” MMG Carries a Wireless set No19 and 2 X wireless set No 38 Carries a Bren lmg Carrier Universal MMG serjeant, 2 X machine gunner, driver mechanic Carries a Vickers .303” MMG Carrier Universal MMG corporal, 2 X machine gunner, driver mechanic Carries a Vickers .303” MMG Carrier Universal MMG corporal, 2 X machine gunner, driver mechanic Carries a Vickers .303” MMG MMG troop 2 Carrier Universal MMG Subaltern, driver operator, machine gunner, driver mechanic Carries a Vickers .303” MMG Carries a Wireless set No19 and 2 X wireless set No 38 Carries a Bren lmg Carrier Universal MMG serjeant, 2 X machine gunner, driver mechanic Carries a Vickers .303” MMG Carrier Universal MMG corporal, 2 X machine gunner, driver mechanic Carries a Vickers .303” MMG Carrier Universal MMG corporal, 2 X machine gunner, driver mechanic Carries a Vickers .303” MMG Heavy Mortar troop, 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) Captain, 2 X driver operator Carries a Wireless set No 22 Carries a Bren lmg 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) serjeant,, driver operator, mortarman, driver IC Tows a mortar trailer with 4.2” mortar Carries a Wireless set No22 and No 38 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) corporal,, driver operator, mortarman, driver IC Tows a mortar trailer with 4.2” mortar Carries a Wireless set No22 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) serjeant,, driver operator, mortarman, driver IC Tows a mortar trailer with 4.2” mortar Carries a Wireless set No22 and No 38 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) corporal,, driver operator, mortarman, driver IC Tows a mortar trailer with 4.2” mortar. Carries a Wireless set No22 Infantry support troop Scout car Subaltern, driver operator Carries a Wireless set No19 and 2 X Wireless set No38 Motorcycle 1 serjeant Motorcycle 2 corporal Motorcycle 3 corporal Motorcycle 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle 5 motorcyclist Motorcycle 6 motorcyclist Motorcycle 7 motorcyclist Motorcycle 8 motorcyclist Motorcycle 9 motorcyclist Motorcycle 10 motorcyclist Motorcycle 11 motorcyclist Motorcycle 12 motorcyclist Motorcycle 13 motorcyclist Motorcycle 14 motorcyclist Motorcycle 15 motorcyclist Motorcycle 16 motorcyclist Motorcycle 17 motorcyclist Motorcycle 18 motorcyclist Squadron There were two identical squadrons. Headquarters Motorcycle 1 corporal motorcyclist Motorcycle 2 motorcyclist Motorcycle 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle 4 motorcyclist Motorcycle 5 motorcyclist Motorcycle 6 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 1 Squadron Serjeant Major, driver operator, driver IC Carries a Wireless set No22 5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 2 squadron quartermaster serjeant, driver operator, driver IC Carries a Wireless set No22 Carries a Bren lmg Scout car Major, serjeant Scout car Captain, driver operator Heavy troop Light tank Subaltern, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Light tank serjeant, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Light tank corporal driver operator, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Light tank corporal driver operator, gunner operator, driver mechanic AFV Troop 1 Carrier Universal Subaltern, driver operator, machine gunner, driver mechanic Carries a Wireless set No 19 and 2 X Wireless set No 38. Carries a Bren lmg, a 2”mortar and a Boyes AT rifle. Carrier Universal corporal, driver operator, machine gunner, driver mechanic Carries a Wireless set No 19 and 2 X Wireless set No 38. Carries a Bren lmg, a 2”mortar and a PIAT Scout car serjeant, driver operator Scout car driver operator, driver IC Troop 2 Carrier Universal Subaltern, driver operator, machine gunner, driver mechanic Carries a Wireless set No 19 and 2 X Wireless set No 38. Carries a Bren lmg, a 2”mortar and a Boyes AT rifle. Carrier Universal corporal, driver operator, machine gunner, driver mechanic Carries a Wireless set No 19 and 2 X Wireless set No 38. Carries a Bren lmg, a 2”mortar and a PIAT Scout car serjeant, driver operator Scout car driver operator, driver IC Troop 3 Carrier Universal Subaltern, driver operator, machine gunner, driver mechanic Carries a Wireless set No 19 and 2 X Wireless set No 38. Carries a Bren lmg, a 2”mortar and a Boyes AT rifle. Carrier Universal corporal, driver operator, machine gunner, driver mechanic Carries a Wireless set No 19 and 2 X Wireless set No 38. Carries a Bren lmg, a 2”mortar and a PIAT Scout car serjeant, driver operator Scout car driver operator, driver IC