Does anyone know what DMGA is an abbreviation for. I'm confident that it is a department within the War Office but I can't figure it out. Example in image.
The gist possibly suggests something to do with future (Allied) Military Government contingencies; the last letter A could equate to Austria orientated, but the plural territories would suggest something else. The trouble with abbreviations/acronyms is that they should afford brevity and clarity to the organization using them, but not necessarily beyond that. FFR, for example might mean free flight rocket to a gunner or intelligence staff, a vehicle fitted for radio to more readers, or the forces fixed rate of currency exchange to most. If unclear, the rule is to write the term in full, especially in multinational settings. The apostrophe is before the 's, suggesting singular, but that might be a typo. Were any personal names listed in the context or attendance?
Hi, Doesn’t MGA = Major-General Administration? Major General Miles Graham in 1944? So was DMGA simply his Deputy? Gen. Moses was a senior US Army logistics officer. I can’t remember off-hand whether he was G-4 at SHAEF or at 12th US Army Group in 1944. Regards Tom
Citation for (US) Army Distinguished Service Medal for Brigadier General Raymond G Moses: GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders No. 31 (April 17, 1944) CITATION: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Raymond George Moses (ASN: 0-4414), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. During the critical period of the reorganization of the Army and the War Department, and the preliminary deployment of our forces overseas, General Moses served as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4, of the War Department General Staff, from March 1942 to September 1943. He discharged his duties in a position of great responsibility with sound judgment and in a highly efficient manner. The distinctive accomplishments of General Moses reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Finally found the confirmation of DMGA, it is Deputy Major General Administration…….I had this in my files all this time, and finally spotted it while looking for something else (of course) Here’s the British Army Handbook that explains the abbreviation
You may well be right, and I don't want to be difficult, but that isn't really direct confirmation. You have put two separate pieces of information together. I think we all knew that D could mean Deputy and that a Major General, Administration was a MGA, but the idea of a Brig or Col (presumably) having the title of Deputy Major General of Anything seems a bit odd, doesn't it? I would also observe that D can also stand for Director, as in DAFS, DAPS, DCA, DCO, etc. so we may well be missing something else. But you may well be right; I'd just like to see it in writing.
Just to add, from a British end: Sir Nevil Brownjohn was appointed Deputy Major-General in charge of Administration, Home Forces in July 1942. He was known to his peers as 'B.J.' Rose to Vice-CIGS after the war. Source: British Army Officers 1939-1945 -- B
