Help with War Diary Abbreviations

Discussion in 'Unit History' started by Owen, Aug 4, 2006.

  1. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Reading Wilts Regt War Diaries and they mention the above abreviations.

    PW=Prisoner of War , obvious.
    DP=Displaced Persons,ditto.
    VP=?????

    Not a typo for DP as D and V aren't near eachother on a keyboard.
    What are VPs?
    as in "....finding, reporting and guarding V.Ps....."
    from 2nd Wils WD for 18/5/45.


    "...the locating and guarding of V.P.s, the checking of and disposal of all D.P's in the area...."
    From 2nd Wilts WD. 5/5/45


    Very interseting to read of the rapes and murders committed by the DPs on the German population in the immediate post-war days.
     
  2. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Official abbreviation for VP is 'Vulnerable point'
    Funny you should ask this as I was recently reading in the same book that 'VP' reference comes from (British Soldier in Normandy v1&2) that MP's wore blue cap covers while protecting 'Vulnerable points' and wondered what the official term meant?
    Cheers,
    Adam.
     
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Just bringing this up again.
    Why would MPs wear Blue cap covers?
     
  4. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    So does anyone have a more 'official' definition of Vulnerable point or is the term purely self-explanatory?
    I only ask as Gordon referred to it in the 'airfield structure' thread.
    Any thoughts?
     
  5. lancesergeant

    lancesergeant Senior Member

    Vulnerable point as in one that could be attacked by the werewolfs or other subversives perhaps.
     
  6. CROONAERT

    CROONAERT Ipsissimus

    Why would MPs wear Blue cap covers?

    Because they were a specialised wing of the CMP (very originally called the "Vulnerable Points Wing"). It differentiated them from the rest when on duty.

    Dave
     
    Owen likes this.
  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Cheers Dave.
    Vulnerable Points Wing. It was the task of the "Blue Caps" to provide guards for installations and buildings that were seen as vulnerable points, such as ammunition and petrol dumps, docks, locks, bridges and power stations. They were organised into sections each with 7 privates under command of a lance corporal. They were armed with SMG's and batons, and used guard dogs during nights. Their primary duty was anti-sabotage.

    British Military Police - From the MMP to the RMP

    Distinctive Arm Badges
    In addition to the white and oxford blue bands painted around the steel helmets of the TC and VP Wings of the CMP, these personnel were also identified by 1 1/2in square cloth badges worn just below the shoulder seam on each sleeve of the Service Dress jacket, the Battle-Dress blouse, the Khaki Drill jacket and the Greatcoat. After June 1943 the badges were worn below the corps designation and above the arm-of-service strip. For TC Wing personnel, the badge had red lettering "TC" whilst for VP Wing personnel the letters were "VP".
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  8. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Good stuff.
    Multiple queries answered for the price of one thread.
    Cheers,
    Adam.

    (& that 'VP' makes an oddly tempting avatar...)
     
  9. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    from Alanbrooke's diary page 138.

    5-2-41

    Then Barker on the subject of the new police for guarding vulnerable points.
     
  10. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Just reading in the History of 53rd Division about who guarded Vulnerable Points in Wales in 1939.

    Certain Vulnerable Points laid down by the War office were to be guarded by troops of the recently formed Natioanl Defence Companies (Territorial Army Reserve).
    There were 74 of these Vulerable Points in the Welsh area, the strength of their Guards varying from 8 platoons to 1/2 platoon. Altogether 75 Platoons were to be deployed for this purpose with 8 Platoons in reserve-a total of 83 Platoons. In the event , owing to the imminence of war, it was found impracticable to deploy the National Defence Companies and in the first instance most of the Vulnerable points were guarded by Militiamen* from various Depots in the Welsh area.
    On the 29th August the 113th Infantry Brigade (15th Bn Welch Regt, 2/5th Bn Welch Regt and 4th Bn Monmouthshire Regt) of the 38th Division was embodied and concentrated at Porthcawl for the purpose of relieving Militia Guards on Vulnerable Points.

    * Conscription had come into force on the 18th May 1939 and the men so raised were known as Militiamen. They joined and received their primary training at Regimental Depots.
     
  11. Does anyone have any ideas on the "V.P's" abbreviation used in the last couple of lines of this page ? 100_2516.JPG

    Thanks

    Chris
     
  12. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Vulnerable Points?
    Cropped up here:
    VP/DP/PW?

    Does that fit the context?

    ~A
     
  13. Tomed1

    Tomed1 Member

    I found the following abbreviation in relation to gun positions:
    VP
    Please may I have the official definition. I assume it is either "vulnerable point" or "vantage point".
    Tom.
     
  14. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  15. Rob Dickers

    Rob Dickers 10th MEDIUM REGT RA

    DP's and VP's
    Regt Diaries Nov 1945
    HQ 43(W)Div - 5AGRA
    Rob

    AGRA Reports.
    The 8th Middx Battalion carried out an Operation to make surprise searches of (DP) Displaced Persons Camps, including BELSEN. Relieved of VP commitments by the 52nd Hy Regt for 48hrs from 11.00hrs.



    16th and 17th November.
    09.00 Lt. GEORGE , Lt. HEATH and Captain WEEKES posted to the Regiment. Visit by the CAGRA.
    The 8th Middx returned and resumed VP responsibilities. Captain D.W.SWANTON promoted to Acting Major, retrospective from 14th Oct 1945.

    18th November.
    The CAGRA still staying with the Regiment – left at 18.00hrs.
    Steady increase in numbers of refugees and evacuees (OPERATION HONEY-BEE) coming from the Russian Zone. All movement is taking place in the 121st Med Regt area and under control.
     
  16. Tomed1

    Tomed1 Member

    Thank you that explains it and fits in with the text. i.e. "Tunis and La Goulette were no longer considered to be VPs".

    Tom.
     
  17. skimmod

    skimmod Senior Member

    Just thought I'd add my twopennies worth.

    Vulnerable points are still in military parlance at the moment and are very important places to note on foot or vehicle patrols/ convoys.

    They are used to describe a location that is vulnerable to IED or ambush because they choke traffic, slow patrols and identify places that have to be used more than once.

    For example, bridges and fords, tracks across swampy or rocky terrain, a junction that is frequently used and can't be avoided.

    They can't be avoided, but are already identified as dangerous, so are vulnerable to attack. Hence the name VP.
     
  18. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Not a great pic but whilst flicking through The Canadian Battlefields In Normandy A Visitor's Guide on page 8 , which I've had since 2005, (Why didn't I notice it before?) I saw this chap escorted German PoWs in UK , 29 June 1944.
    chap with blue cap cover & VP armband.
    Photo listed as CFPU ZK774
     

    Attached Files:

  19. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    Hi

    I have the following abbrevs. but have no idea what they mean:

    This relates to mixed Indian, South African, and British formations in 1941.

    Ord W/S Coy (ordnance wireless service?)
    21 Fd Coy S & M (Indian unit?)
    I.I.B.T. Coy (Indian Infantry Brigade Transport Coy?)
    A.Tps Coy R.E. (?? Royal Engineers)
    E.F.I.
    M.A.C.
    F.P.O. (Field post Office?)
    D.I.D.
    F.S.D.
    F.A.D.

    Many thanks!

    All the best

    Andreas
     
  20. 4jonboy

    4jonboy Daughter of a 56 Recce

    RE Royal Engineers
    EFI Expeditionary Force Institutes
    MAC Motor Ambulance Company (RAMC) ie Royal Army medical corps
    DID Detail Issue Depot (RASC)Royal army service corps


    These are from my list of abbreviations from the Army office-not always correct though as I have found in the past!

    Lesley
     

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