Forward & Air Observation

Discussion in 'Artillery' started by von Poop, Nov 28, 2011.

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  1. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    FORWARD OBSERVATION


    COMBINED OPERATIONS BOMBARDMENT UNIT.
    War Establishment XII/140/1. October 1943.

    This is a War Establishment for landings in Italy but from secondary sources it seems identical to that used in NW Europe.

    Major
    9 X Captain, Bombardment Liaison Officers. (includes one as troop intelligence officer)
    Liaison officers were carried aboard the ships assigned to a bombardment role.

    7 X Observation Party each
    Captain, Forward Observation Officer
    observation post assistant
    2 X telegraphist RN
    1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4

    One troop of seven observation parties was usually assigned to each assault division.

    On D Day artillery surveyors were also landed with the leading elements. They were to erect marker beacons so that bombardment ships could fix their position and accurately engage targets on shore.


    FIRE LIAISON PARTY
    In November 1944 Fire Liaison Parties were formed. There were four of these, similar in organisation, personnel and function to the forward observation teams. It was the function of these parties to co ordinate fire of artillery units outside the Airborne Division. In the Rhine Crossing in particular the airborne drops were within range of RA units on the near side of the Rhine and could call on them for fire support.

    The following is from War Establishment I/166/2 with an effective date of February 1945.

    2 X Captain, Forward Observer
    2 X technical assistant
    3 X signaller
    3 X driver operator
    driver IC

    1 X motorcycle
    3 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
    2 X 10cwt trailer

    Motorcycle
    signaller

    5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 1
    Captain Forward Observer, signaller, driver operator
    Carries 2 X wireless set
    Tows a tailer.
    5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 2
    Captain Forward Observer, signaller, driver operator
    Carries 2 X wireless set
    Tows a tailer.
    5cwt car 4 X 4 (jeep) 3
    driver operator, 2 X technical assistants RA, driver IC
    Carries a hand cable layer.
    Carries signal stores.
    Carries a Bren lmg




    AIR OBSERVATION POST SQUADRON.

    AIR OBSERVATION POST SQUADRON (ARMY PERSONNEL).
    War Establishment III/126/4. October 1943

    Air Observation Post Squadrons (AOP) were provided on the basis on one per corps plus one per army. This gave the equivalent of one flight per forward division and one flight for each Army Group Royal Artillery. The squadron had mixed Royal Artillery and Royal Air Force personnel. The Commanding Officer and all the pilots were Royal Artillery officers. 55% of the other ranks were also Royal Artillery. The Royal Air Force provided three officers and the servicing personnel.

    Each squadron had twelve aircraft and 23 pilots (including first reserves). There were three flights of four aircraft each. Each aircraft had its own ground crew and could operate independently if required. The following squadrons were deployed in 21 Army Group.
    622 Squadron 83 Group 2 Army
    652 Squadron 83 Group 2 Army
    653 Squadron 83 Group 2 Army
    658 Squadron 83 Group 2 Army
    659 Squadron 83 Group 2 Army
    660 Squadron 84 Group 1 Canadian Army
    661 Squadron 84 Group 1 Canadian Army

    Personnel

    Major RA
    Captain
    3 X Captain Flight Commanders
    12 X Captain Section Commander
    2 X reserve pilots

    Note:
    All officers are qualified air observation post pilots.

    battery quartermaster serjeant
    signalling serjeant
    4 X serjeant
    lance serjeant
    5 X bombardier
    7 X lance bombardier
    39 X gunner

    Tradesmen
    bombardier clerk, RA clerks section
    3 X clerk
    22 X driver operator
    driver mechanic
    4 X vehicle mechanic
    Note: One tradesman may be a lance serjeant and one a lance bombardier.

    Non tradesmen
    3 X batman (including two to act as motor cyclists)
    16 X batman driver
    13 X driver IC
    8 X motor cyclist
    sanitary dutyman
    5 X signaller

    Attached from RAF
    2 X officer (one to act as second in command)
    Warrant officer Engineer
    60 X other ranks

    Total: 102

    Vehicles
    11 X motorcycle
    1 X car 4 seater 4 X 4
    17 X car, 5cwt, 4 X 4 (jeep)
    17 X 15cwt GS
    1 X 15cwt Office
    5 X 15cwt Wireless
    5 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS
    4 X 3ton 4 X 4 Anti Tank Portee
    1 X 3ton 6 X 4 machinery M
    1 X water trailer


    Squadron Headquarters
    Major RA
    Captain
    2 X reserve pilots
    battery quartermaster serjeant
    signalling serjeant
    serjeant
    lance serjeant
    2 X bombardier
    16 X gunner
    Tradesmen
    bombardier clerk, RA clerks section
    4 X driver operator
    driver mechanic
    vehicle mechanic

    3 X batman (including two to act as motorcyclists)
    batman driver
    10 X driver IC
    2 X motor cyclist
    sanitary dutyman
    signaller

    Attached from RAF
    2 X officer
    Warrant Officer Engineer
    24 X other ranks

    Vehicles
    5 X motorcycle
    1 X car 4 seater 4 X 4
    2 X jeep
    2 X 15cwt GS
    1 X 15cwt Office
    2 X 15cwt Wireless
    2 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS
    4 X 3ton 4 X 4Anti Tank Portee
    1 X 3ton 6 X 4 machinery M
    1 X water trailer


    Flight X 3
    Headquarters
    Captain, Flight Commander
    serjeant
    lance serjeant
    bombardier
    4 X gunner
    Tradesmen
    clerk
    2 X driver operator
    vehicle mechanic
    batman driver
    driver IC
    2 X motor cyclist
    signaller

    Attached from RAF
    4 X other ranks

    Vehicles
    2 X motorcycle
    1 X jeep
    1 X 15cwt GS
    1 X 15cwt Wireless
    1 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS

    Section X 4
    Captain Section Commander
    driver operator
    batman driver
    flight mechanic RAF
    rigger RAF

    1 X jeep
    1 X 15cwt

    The RAF provided the Auster aircraft.

    Later the 15cwt was replaced by a 3ton 4 X 4 GS lorry.

    AUSTER
    When Air Observation Squadrons were introduced it was necessary to find an existing aircraft that could do the job. There was not time to design a new aircraft. The obvious choice was the US Grasshopper which was intended as a liaison aircraft rather than an observation aircraft but was readily available and well suited to the intended task. These were ordered but lost at sea so that the Auster was chosen instead. This was an older design, and again it was American.

    The Auster was based on the prewar Taylorcraft, a high winged monoplane which had been popular with private owners and flying cubs before the war. Some had been impressed in 1939 and some went to France with the BEF. They were well thought of and had the following basic requirements for observation work.

    • A high wing to give good downward visibility
    • A low stalling speed
    • An ability to use unprepared grass landing strips
    • An ability to land and take off in 250 yards.

    The basic design was improved to give good all round vision and more power. Auster MkIV and V were used in 21 Army Group.

    https://mail.google.com/mail/?name=d33be9805ff33117.jpg&attid=0.1&disp=vahi&view=att&th=133ea03574bb4c77


    Wireless set No22 was fitted to AOPs. This was a standard set widely used by the Royal Artillery. It could be used with the standard wire aerial stretched between the cockpit and the top of the tail fin, and then back to the front spar of the main frame. A longer aerial was carried by some aircraft. This consisted of a 150 foot aerial on a winch drum. A length of aerial to suit the frequency being used could be paid out and streamed behind the aircraft. Throat microphones were used and communication between the pilot and observer could also be provided.


    BEDFORD QL PORTEE
    The anti tank portee is specified in the War Establishment. The 6pdr portee was obsolete and all unissued ones were converted to GS lorries. Those that had been issued to artillery units found other uses within the Royal Artillery. In the UK before D Day some were used as tractors for the 17 pdr anti tank gun.

    In AOP Squadrons the portee was held at headquarters in order to recover Austers that had suffered damage on landing, suffered battle damage or had been forced to land somewhere from where they could not take off. They could also be transported on the portee when deploying. The portee had a flat body. The Auster had readily removable wings and could easily fit on the flat bed, although there was some overhang.

    https://mail.google.com/mail/?name=d33be9805ff33117.jpg&attid=0.1&disp=vahi&view=att&th=133ea03574bb4c77
     
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