Gun Battery 1939

The information for a Gun Battery 1939 is based on two publications. The establishment is based on War Establishment II/1931/7A dated 29 Jun 1938. The organisation is taken from Artillery Training Volume 1, Pamphlet No. 2A 1940. RHA, Field & Medium Regiments – Battle Drill and Manœuvre for the Reconnaisance and Occupation of Positions dated 6th March 1940. This is slightly different from the War Establishment tables. However, the gun battery 1939 & 40 given in the Training Pamphlet is noted as being for guidance only.

Battery Recce Group

X Truck 8 cwt Battery Commander, Observation Post Assistant, 2 x Signallers
K Truck 8 cwt Battery Captain (2i/c), 2 x Signallers, Driver
Y1 Truck 15 cwt Command Post Officer, CPO Assistant, 3 x Surveyors, 2 x Signallers, Driver
Y2 Truck 8 cwt Surveyor, 3 x Gun Position Officers or GPO’s Assistants, Driver –
Rangefinder No. 13
MC1 Motorcycle Battery Commander’s Orderly
MC2 Motorcycle Command Post Officer’s Orderly
MC3 Motorcycle Battery Signals NCO
MC4 Motorcycle WLO
MC7 Motorcycle A Troop Sergeant Major

 

O Party

RA Truck 8 cwt A Troop Commander, Observation Post Assistant,
2 x Signallers (RD in second battery)
RB Truck 8 cwt B Troop Commander, Observation Post Assistant,
2 x Signallers (RE in second battery)
MC5 Motorcycle Signals NCO A Troop
MC6 Motorcycle Signals NCO B Troop

 

G Party

GA Truck 8 cwt Gun Position Officer or Assistant GPO A Troop,
2 x Signallers, Driver (GD in second battery)
GB Truck 8 cwt Gun Position Officer or Assistant GPO B Troop,
2 x Signallers, Driver (GE in second battery)
GC Truck 15 cwt

Gun Position Officer or Assistant GPO C Troop, Signaller, 2 x RAF W/T Operators (1 battery only), 2 x Gunners local defence, Driver
(GF in second battery)

M1 Truck 15 cwt 5 x Signallers (3 Command post, 2 maintenance), Artificer RA, Driver
H Truck 8 cwt 2 x Signallers, Clerk, Driver – Battery Office equipment
MC8 Motorcycle B Troop Sergeant Major
MC9 Motorcycle C Troop Sergeant Major

 

Gun Group

RC Truck 8 cwt C Troop Commander, Observation Post Assistant, 2 x Signallers
(RF in second battery)
MC10 Motorcycle Orderly
TLA Truck 15 cwt A Troop Leader (WOIII), Signaller, Artificer RA, Motor Mechanic, 2 x Gunners local defence, Driver
(TLD in second battery)
M2 Truck 15 cwt 3 x Signallers (OP Telephonist & 2 Maintenance), Orderly, Driver
  A Troop gun tractors 4 x Gun tractors, 2 x Ammo tractors
TLB   B Troop Leader (WOIII), Signaller, Artificer RA, Motor Mechanic, 2 x Gunners local defence, Driver (TLE in second battery)
M3   3 x Signallers (OP Telephonist & 2 Maintenance), Orderly, Driver
  B Troop gun tractors 4 x Gun tractors, 2 x Ammo tractors
MC11 Motorcycle C Troop Leader (WOIII) (F Troop Leader in second battery)
  C Troop gun tractors 4 x Gun tractors, 2 x Ammo tractors
T Carrier Scout Driver/Mechanic (Officer, 2 x Signallers & wireless set
when required)
M4 Truck 15 cwt 2 x Signallers (OP Telephonist & Maintenance),
2 x Gunners local defence, Driver
M5 Truck 15 cwt 3 x Signallers (OP Telephonist & 2 Maintenance), Orderly, Motor Mechanic, Driver
  Truck 30 cwt 2 x Sanitary Dutymen, Driver
MC12 Motorcycle Battery Sergeant Major
MC13 Motorcycle Artificer RA

 

Ammo Group

2 x Truck 30 cwt Ammo – may often join gun group
2 x Truck 3 ton Ammo – normally under regimental control
Truck 30 cwt Petrol distribution

 

B Echelon

2 x Trucks 15 cwt This is the Battery Quartermaster Sergeants group
4 x Trucks 30 cwt  

 

 

 

The Royal Artillery 1939-45