In keeping with my plan to work out the unit organizations for the 79th Armored Division, let me start off by pointing out some of the problems that exist with this task. The subject is extremely complex as organizations changed frequently, often without proper documentation. In some cases we can do little more than make intelligent guesses on what these organizations were. One of the reasons for this was the 79th's special status within the British Army. Units of the 79th never fought "under command" of other formations, but only ever "in support." The division as a whole stayed under the command of the 21st Army Group, while various elements placed in support of Armies and other formations. In dealing with the 1st Assault Brigade of the Royal Engineers, these problems occur from the formation of the Brigade. No one knows the exact organization of those units as they were on June 6th, 1944. The first complete published official establishment dates from May 19th, 1945 (after the War in Europe was over), which supersedes an unpublished one of October, 1943. This suggests that no major change took place in the intervening period. As a result, we shall rely on the establishment, which probably isn't far from truth. It may well turn out that there is more information on this subject, buried in the depths of the Public Records Office, but I think what we've got will suffice. In theory one troop of ARE (Assault Royal Engineers) was to be assigned to each of three beaches on a battalion front, with one troop remaining in reserve. Thus it can be seen that if one squadron was to support one infantry battalion, then one ARE Regiment of four squadrons could support a infantry division in the standard attack posture of two Brigades each with two battalions "up". In practice, this density of support was rarely, If ever, used. On D-Day, five British and Canadian brigades assaulting the beaches were supported by just six of the available twelve ARE Squadrons. Later the squadrons were reduced In size from four troops to three troops. After all this preamble, here is the basic organization of the 1st Assault Brigade, Royal Engineers. 1st ASSAULT BRIGADE, ROYAL ENGINEERS 5th ASSAULT REGIMENT 26th ASSAULT SQUADRON 78th ASSAULT SQUADRON 79th ASSAULT SQUADRON 80th ASSAULT SQUADRON 8th ASSAULT REGIMENT 284th ASSAULT SQUADRON 81st ASSAULT SQUADRON 82nd ASSAULT SQUADRON 87th ASSAULT SQUADRON 42nd ASSAULT REGIMENT 16th ASSAULT SQUADRON 617th ASSAULT SQUADRON 222nd ASSAULT SQUADRON 557th ASSAULT SQUADRON The squadrons were initially equipped with the Armored Vehicle Royal Engineers. On August 31st, 1944 557 Assault Squadron was detached from 42nd Assault Regiment, and became the nucleus for the 557tb Assault Training Regiment, RE. Also in August 5th Armored Assault Regiment was re-equiped with Buffaloes (LVT's). 81st Assault Squadron was reequipped with Terrapin's (British poor relation to the DUKW). 87th Assault Squadron turned in it AVRE's In January of 1945, being given Centaur Dozer tanks in time for the Rhine Crossing. BASIC TO&E FOR AVRE-EQUIPPED ASSAULT REGIMENT Troop Quality Morale: 8 Trained - June 1944 Experienced - July/November 1944 Veteran - December 1944 on REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS, with: 1 Command Stand 1 Car 1 Staff Radio Truck 1 Recon Humber Scout Car 1 Armored Recovery Vehicle 4 ASSAULT SQUADRONS,, each with: SQUADRON HEADQUARTERS, with: 1 Command AVRE 1 Recon Humber Scout Car 3/4 TROOPS, each with: 1 Command AVRE 1 AVRE 1 Medium Supply Truck NOTES 1. Each squadron had four troops until about the end of July, 1944, when they were reduced to three. 2. In reality each troop had 6 AVRE's so while I vehicle would be more realistic number wise, the troops often operated as half troops on separate assignments. Two vehicles gives you more flexibility, one would be more accurate on a strict historical basis. Use what you prefer. 3. Each troop carries 1 stand of Engineers and 1 ton of Engineering stores, which is one of the reasons 1 suggest using two per troop. One vehicle carries the engineer stand, one vehicle carries the stores. The Engineer Stand may dismount from the AVRE's to preform their tasks, during which time the AVRE's can move but not fire. Usually the AVRE positioned itself against whatever obstacle was being breached in such a way as to provide cover for the dismounted engineers. EQUIPMENT: The AVRE is a Churchill IV with the 6pdr replaced by a Petard Mortar (Flying Dustbin!), and carrying six rounds of ammunition. Weapon: PETARD Year 43 Round HC ROF* 1 Direct Fire: 2" : 9:x2 Direct Fire: 5" : 2:x2 HE Data: 1"/4 The Petard may not be fired at targets other than for demolition. Stands not protected by cover or vehicles within the HE burst radius check for damage, but fire may not be directly targeted on those stands. The Petard has no indirect fire capability. I suggest that fire from the Petard be handled in the following manner. After rolling for a hit in the normal manner, calculate damage to the target by rolling a D10, and multiply that by 2. Subtract the HE Fire Modifier for the structure from the damage total to determine the number of hit points that the target takes. EXAMPLE: An AVRE closes to 2" of a German pillbox. and fires it's Petard. A hit is rolled for, and a 7 is rolled. The hit is rolled now for effect, with a die roll of 6. 2 x 6 equals 12, minus the pillbox's HE modifier of -5. As a result, 7 damage points are inflicted on the pillbox, starting it on its way to rubble. If an infantry stand was adjacent to the pillbox, and within the blast radius, it would check for a possible hit as well. As the Petard has an HE effect of 4, and the stand has modifier of -2 for stationary personnel, the chances of any damage are reduced to a 2. In addition to its destructive capabilities, the AVRE was used for the carrying vehicle for the SBG Bridge, Fascines, Bobins, Snakes, and Ploughs, and used to tow AVRE Sledges, gutted carriers, and Conger carriers. Taking these in order, we will briefly discuss their use. Keep In mind that these ideas have not been fully developed into rules, so that I am interested in any house rules that have been developed by the readers on the subject. SBG BRIDGE: 30' long, it was used to cross small streams, shell carters in roads etc, and in conjunction with a fascine concrete walls. The AVRE while carrying the bridge should be rather slow and unwieldy. It should take 1 turn to emplace, with a fair chance of failure - say 30%?? FASCINE: Used to fill anti-tank ditches, and as cushioning on the far side of concrete walls when crossing using SBG Bridge. BOBBIN Used to cross soft ground (first used to cross patches of blue clay on D-Day landing beaches). Roadway created has a limited life due to its fragile nature. SNAKE Lengths of metal pipe filled with explosive pushed across a minefield and detonated to clear pipe. PLOUGH Used to clear mines when ground unsuitable for the use of Sherman Crabs, ie soft sand which would crater badly when the mines are exploded. AVRE - SLEDGE/GUTTER CARRIER Used to carry extra stores, ammunition, etc, In support of assault. I suggest a capacity of 1 ton. Gutted carrier is a universal carrier with its "guts'! removed, towed behind the AVRE. The sledges tended to be used on soft going, carriers on firm. Some reduction in the speed may be appropriate here and when towing Conger. CONGER A lethal (to the operator!) variation of Snake. A rocket was used to carry a firehose across the minefield, with the hose then being pumped full of nitroglycerine (!!) before being detonated to clear the mines. The advantage was that unlike the Snake, which could only be used on smooth level ground, Conger could cope with undulating ground. Incidentally, a modern version called Giant Viper, is in current service. I have recently seen one being tested in Saudi Arabia on the news, so I guess they most have found a more stable liquid explosive. ARK In addition to AVRE's, ARKS were used for surmounting obstacles. The ARK was a Churchill tank with the turret removed, and ramps fitted front and rear which could be driven into a hole or against an obstacle, and then used as a briege by other vehicles. ALTERNATE ORGANIZATIONS 5th ASSAULT REGIMENT, RE (August 1944 on) REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS: 1 Command Stand. 1 Amphibious Jeep 1 DUKW or Terrapin 2 ASSAULT SQUADRONS, each with: 1 Command LVT (A) 2 2 LVT (A) 2 2 LVT 4 2 ASSAULT SQUADRONS, each with: 1 Command LVT 4 LVT 4 NOTES 1. For the Walcheren operation add a LVT (A) 2 to the Regimental Headquarters. 2. In October, 1944, the 11th RTR was equipped. with the LVT, while the 33rd Armored Brigade (4th RTR, 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry, and 1st East Riding Yeomanry) was equipped with the LVT in January of 1945. Their organization was somewhat different. and is not completely known. We do know that the squadron headquarters had 2 LVT's and that their were five troops of 6 LVT's each, making 32 in all/ A suggested CD organization might be for each squadron to have 1 command LVT (A.) 2, and 5 LVT 4. 3. LVT 4's can carry vehicles instead of personnel or stores. An L17 4 can carry a light vehicle and crew, ie 311 mortar stand and Universal Carrier, or a 6# AT Gun and crew, or a recon Universal Carrier. It can be seen that the 5th ARRE will just fall to carry an infantry brigade in the normal attack posture of 2 battalions "up", which appears to be accurate. TERRAPINS From late Summer until the end of November of 1944, 81st Squadron was issued with the Terrapin. Treat the Terrapin as a DUKW with no towing capacity. The organization here is pure conjecture, backed up by a few facts gleamed from the references. As the conversion happened for such a short time nothing seems to have been recorded. Anyway here goes: 81st SQUADRON, ROYAL ENGINEERS, with: HEADQUARTERS, with: 1 Command Terrapin 3 TROOPS, each with: 2 Terrapins CENTAUR DOZERS In January, 1945, 87th Assault Squadron re-linquished its AVRE's and was equipped with dozers in time for the Rhine crossing. It was expected that the dozers would be needed to clear a way through the rubble of German cities for the army to pass though. This was an unarmed centaur tank, with the turret removed and plated over. Treat as an unarmed Cromwell TV for movement and protection. I suggest that a dozer be allowed to clear roadway at a rate of 1" per turn. 87th SQUADRON, ROYAL ENGINEERS SQUADRON HEADQUARTERS, with: 1 Command Stand 1 Car 1 Armored Recovery Vehicle 3 TROOPS, each with: 1 Command Centaur dozer 2 Centaur dozers 1 Recon Scout Car I am working on TO&Es for Crocodiles, Crabs, DDs, and Kangaroos - so look for information on those in the future. Any and all comments, suggestions, constructive criticism, new information will be gratefully received. Thanks are due to David Fletcher, librarian at the tank museum, and Paul Middleton and others of my friends in MAFVA for their help. Part II: Crabs, Crocodiles, Kangaroos, and More. 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