Divisional Ammunition Column RFA esp 50th Div

[docchippy]

Putting together events following my great uncle who took part in the retreat of the 50th division in March 1918. Paperwork suggests he was part of No2 section of 50th D.A.C. The Division took full force of the German offensive around St Quentin and retreated towards Ham. It then appears to have split, part going South with French other with remainder of GB army towards Amiens.

Questions:

What did the DAC do - specifically No.2 section.

Any info on these ancilliary units of 50th Div esp DAC of the RFA. I have managed to ID one known casualty of the 50th DAC buried at Ham in the retreat, but of others no ideas - anyone help?

Does the CWGC offer a search based on the text descriptors rather than just name, cemetery etc?

Neil

[David_Blanchard]

It maybe useful to check this out at the PRO:

Item details for WO 95/908

50 Divisional Supply Column (340 Company A.S.C.)

1918 Mar. - 1919 May

[Bob Coulson]

Neil,

2nd Northumbrian Ammunition Column were based at Hull prior to the division leaving for France. Their main duties were to organise and transport the ammunition to the gun lines for their brigade.

Bob.

[rflory]

Actually neither the 50th Divisional Supply Column nor the 2nd Northumbrian Ammunition Column

are the same unit as the 50th DAC (Divisional Ammunition Column), RFA.

The 50th Divisional Ammunition Column was formed as the Northumbrian Divisional Ammunition Column at Seaham Harbour on 20 Nov 14 from the III and IV Northumbrian Reserve Brigades. The unit moved to Newcastle on 9 Jan 15 and then went to Willesden on 10 Apr 15 to prepare to go to France. It disembarked at Havre on 23 Apr 15. Later in 1915 it was redesignated as the 50th Divisional Ammunication Column. In 1915 and 1916 each field artillery brigade had a Brigade Ammunition Column (BAC) associated with it and they carried ammunition to the batteries of each brigade. On 10 May 16 the BACs were abolished and their duties taken over by the DAC.

Regards. Dick Flory

[michaeldr]

What did the DAC do - specifically No.2 section.

Dick,

What is the difference [if any] between Divisional Ammunition Column and Divisional Ammunition Park?

Please correct me if I am wrong, but if they are the same, then Michael Young's history of the ASC offers the following illustration of one in 1915

At the time No.2 Section comprised

1 motor car and 1 driver

13 3-ton lorries with 26 drivers [for 5 inch howitzer ammunition]

generally speaking a 3-ton lorry was capable of carrying any of the following loads

13 pounder - 280 rounds

15 pounder - 280 rounds

18 pounder - 225 rounds

4.5" Howitzer -120 rounds

5" Howitzer -100 rounds

SAA - 80,000 rounds

Regards

Michael D.R

ps: this prog does not like tables does it

Edited 1 December , 2003 by michaeldr

[rflory]

Michael: The simple answer is that, as you indicated, the Divisional Ammunition Park (DAP) was operated by the ASC, while the Divisional Ammunition Column (DAC) was operated by the RFA. In terms of function, the Divisional Ammunition Column transported all the ammunition, both artillery and small-arm, for the Division. At any one time, one scale (the designated allocation of ammunition for the division) was in the hands of the DAC and the tactical units of the division, a second scale of ammunition was stored in the Divisional Ammunition Park and a third scale was stored in the Ordnance Depot. Early in the war there was a third element, Brigade Ammunition Column (BAC) which was attached to each field artillery brigade and which distributed the ammunition to the batteries of the brigade.

The DAP transported the ammunition forward to a re-filling point and then the DAC transported it to another re-filling point for the BAC. When the BAC were done away with the DAC transported the ammunition to a re-filling point where it was picked up by battery wagons.

Regards. Dick

[michaeldr]

Dick,

Many thanks for that prompt correction

and my appologies if I added to Neil's confusion

still learning

Michael D.R.