Chris_Baker Posted 17 May , 2004 Share Posted 17 May , 2004 Can any artillery expert tell me the composition and roles of the crew of a 13-pounder QF field gun, as used by the RHA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tintin1689 Posted 18 May , 2004 Share Posted 18 May , 2004 The 13-pounder gun of an RHA battery forms what is known as a sub-section. Two subs form a section. Each sub is under a Sergeant (coloquially known as "Number 1") who has a Bombardier and two Lance-Bombardiers to help him. The sub has around 17 men and as many horses. These comprise gun numbers, drivers and horse holders. One gunner is the limber gunner who supervises the maintenance of gun and limber. Another is the harness man who supervises maintenance of that. A third will be the stableman who has initial responsibility for supervising the horses feed. Every officer in the Battery has a Trumpeter but these are borne on the books of a sub-section. The Sergeant assigns everyones duties (getting headaches cos he has to fit in any battery duties his men are wanted for and the trumpeters practices, so everyone will have to groom more than one horse.) The three drivers comprise the leader, centre and wheeler. The leader is in charge and must be at least a lance bombardier. One sub will have the Battery leader who will be full Bombardier. The drivers are the elite of the sub. There are six gun numbers. If we stand behind the gun facing the enemy the gun layer is to our left he aims the piece. To our right is the breech worker, his duty is self explanatory. The gun commander kneels behind the trail where he can see everybody and the section commander. The other three are ammunition handlers who form a chain to the ammunition supply, the nearest one to the supply is the fuse-setter. Only the commander and layer are skilled men, but in a peacetime regular battery gunners would be expected to learn these skills and the gun numbers rotated (and drilled with smaller crews) to prepare for casualties. The horse holders are explanatory. Due to the fast speeds of an RHA battery all are mounted so some must hold horses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 18 May , 2004 Author Share Posted 18 May , 2004 Nice! Thank you very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnreed Posted 18 May , 2004 Share Posted 18 May , 2004 Chris I have a Gun Drill Book for the 18 Pdr QF Gun Mark 1 and 2 mounted on Carridges Mark 1 and 2. I quote: Tne detachment is composed of 10 men. The service of the gun is divided between them as follows:- No 1 In Command No 2 The breech No 2 & 3 The Sights No 4 The Loading No 5 & 6 The Ammunition No 7,8 & 9 The reserves and assist with the Ammunition ( When in action they remain in the Waggon Lines) and assist in the supply of ammunition and are available to replace casualties. No 10 He is the coverer, second in command of the detachment or sub-section and is in charge of the battery firing waggon. When in action he remains in the waggon lines incharge of the teams and waggons of his sub-section. There is no difference in the detachment strength of a 13 pdr or a 18 pdr. Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 18 May , 2004 Share Posted 18 May , 2004 Brilliant replies. Do we have a RHA Training Manual amongst us? It has always eluded me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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