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Vehicle markings, British 2nd Army, 1944-45 ?


Pember

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I would be most grateful if anyone can point me in the right direction to find out about vehicle markings, as used in British 2nd Army during 1944-45.

More specifically, I am trying to find out the meaning of unit designation '182' on Royal Artillery red & blue square.  I am assuming that the formation sign of dark cross on light (white?) shield was for 2nd Army.

I have found breakdown of some 21st Army Group markings, but this does not include this particular designation of RA unit of 2nd Army.

Any help greatly appreciated!

 

2nd Army T crop01.tiff

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1 hour ago, wally dugan said:

the carrier is part of Canadian first army and 182 is one of their artillery units attached to second army also the divisional sign has a red cross

Thank you Wally for the swift response and information.  This is most helpful!

Looking at the list of serial numbers, I would interpret it as making '182' a serial number allocated to the second /intermediate Army Group Royal Artillery (AGRA) of either the British 2nd Army or the Canadian 1st Army.  I am convinced that this vehicle belonged to the British 2nd Army, as the formation sign is that of the 2nd Army, rather than that of the Canadian 1st Army.  Also, one of the men riding in it is wearing 2nd Army formation patches (rather than those of the Canadian 1st Army).

As I understand it,  at Normandy, the 2nd Army included I Corps, VIII Corps, XII Corps and XXX Corps; with the AGRAs usually attached to these corps' being 4th AGRA, 8th AGRA, 3rd AGRA and 5th AGRA respectively.  Although, by August 1944 I Corps moved to 1st Canadian Army.  I would then understand the second AGRA in the British 2nd Army as being either 8th AGRA attached to VIII Corps, or 3rd AGRA attached to XII Corps.  The question would then be which of these AGRAs?   

The only other clue that I can see are the letters "RC" in front of the driver.

 

 

 

2nd Army T crop02.tiff

Edited by Pember
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16 minutes ago, wally dugan said:

I do not know if this helps if it is in deed a 2nd army carrier RC stands for trooper commander battery C

Thank you again Wally!  Yes, the insights on the meaning of 'RC' are indeed of interest.

I notice that  the pages just shared make mention of the Orders of Battle of AGRAs of 21st Army Group.  Could you by any chance share those pages as well?  It would be interesting to know which regiments were part of which AGRAs.

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1 hour ago, wally dugan said:

I do not know if this helps if it is in deed a 2nd army carrier RC stands for trooper commander battery C

Hi Wally

According to description on 'Wartime Memories Project', 150th (South Notts Hussars Yeomanry) Field Regt RA was made up of 434th, 435th  and 514th Batteries.  This being the case, the Commander Battery C was presumably the commander of 514th Battery; would you be inclined to agree with this?

 

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IT would be easy to agree but you would have to assume that the battery letters were given in numerical order [ IE] 434 A 435 B 514 C . l only have a few books at home on the artillery due to most of my books been in storage while the building work is on going there are others on the forum who may be able to confirm this was the case or not l will look through the books l have at home on the subject to see if l can add any more

regards wally

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2 minutes ago, wally dugan said:

IT would be easy to agree but you would have to assume that the battery letters were given in numerical order [ IE] 434 A 435 B 514 C . l only have a few books at home on the artillery due to most of my books been in storage while the building work is on going there are others on the forum who may be able to confirm this was the case or not l will look through the books l have at home on the subject to see if l can add any more

regards wally

Much appreciated!  If you cannot find anything more, no worries.  The main piece of information is positively identifying as belonging to 150th (S Notts Hussars Yeomanry) Fd Regt RA; which is great!

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