88th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery. War Diary November 1942
2 November 1942 LLANIDLOES.
Lieut P M HACKETT discharged from Military Hospital, Chester.
3 November 1942
Lieut G R LOWES proceeded on Course of Instruction, Larkhill, 4 – 11 Nov 1942.
7 November 1942
2/Lieuts W V BRADLEY and R C C KITCHEN posted to “attached” and to Q ans R Batteries respectively.
10 November 1942
Unit Officers Days once per week commenced.
11 November 1942
2/Lieut D MILLER proceeded on course of instruction, Larkhill, 11 – 25 November 1942.
12 November 1942
Lieut H G BARKER returned from course of instruction, Army School of Signals, Catterick and posted to Q Battery.
15 November 1942
Lt W B BROOKE proceeded on course of instruction, Infantry Company Commanders School, Nantwich 15 – 20 November.
17 November 1942
Regiment attended Harlech practice camp.
Lieut R L McLAREN proceeded on course of instruction Military College of Science 17 – 24 November.
18 November 1942
Lieut A I SHARP proceeded on course of instruction, Larkhill, Nov 18 – December 2nd.
23 November 1942
2/Lieut D L ROBERTS posted from “attached” this Regiment to “attached” Depot, Royal Artillery.
2/Lieut H de M LEATHES returned from attachment to 1st Border Regiment.
25 November 1942
Lieut J SUTCLIFFE proceeded on Course of Instruction, Larkhill, 25 November – 9 December.
24 – 25 November 1942
All 30 cwt Portees exchanged for 3 ton Portees.
GENERAL
During the month the practice of devoting one day a week to training of Officers was re-instated. A Regimental Mobile Combat Group has been instituted (see Appendix attached).
STRENGTH
Officers – 39
Other Ranks – 497
Appendices attached to November 1942 War Diary
Standing Orders for Regimental Mobile Combat Group.
These Orders set out the framework for Combat Groups – formed from the existing Batteries – to respond to any enemy threats within three miles of Llanidloes and Rhyader. Basically these were set up like Infantry organisations with three Sections of an NCO and seven men per Section, with three Sections in each of four Troops, with Despatch Riders, and Drivers to be added as necessary. In addition, pioneer working parties – to be used for tasks such as blocking roads – were also formed.
Weapons would be rifles plus Thompson Sub-Machine Guns for Section Commanders and a Bren Gun per Troop, with suitable ammunition scales.
Transport would be 15 cwt trucks with canopies removed, supplemented by Portees when necessary. Dress would be Field Service Marching Order.
The Groups would be at two hours’ notice between 09:00 and 21:00 hours with 25% of the strength as Inlying Pickets at immediate notice. W/T Communications between Pickets, Groups and RHQ would be organised with Despatch Riders taking that role at Rhyader.
Pickets would be confined to Barracks or Canteen during their duty hours and would be expected to respond immediately to any threat and destroy attacking enemy, pinning down any that could not be destroyed until the arrival of the Combat Group. Pickets would be summoned by the Duty Orderly Sergeant when necessary and fall in at the double by their vehicles.
In an Emergency the Pickets would be despatched immediately, the rest of the Combat Group and Working Party would parade, while the balance of the Regiment would report to their alarm posts as detailed by Battery Commanders.
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