Tactics and Organisation - SS135 and SS143

[Gareth Davies]

When did the changes to platoon tactics, structures and associated equipment arrive with the EEF?  I know that 74 Division were reorganised in August 1917 but instead of the rifle grenade section they had a sniper section (this is described in the Divisional history).  When did 52nd, 53rd, and 54th Divisions change?

[green_acorn]

Gareth,

 

As far as I am aware the only GHQ BEF publication commonly used in the other theatres were ones like the annual Field Almanac CDS 313 and Notes on War Diaries CDS 315.

 

Formations and units within the EEF were not obliged to adopt the requirements of SS135 or SS143 as they were BEF specific documents. The bridge between the doctrine and requirements of the two formations being WO publications, which had to be followed. Having said that, I believe that GHQ EEF and GHQ MEF for that matter were on the "For Information" distribution list of the BEF Stationery Service publications. If, for example, GHQ EEF then found a publication useful and worthy they would make any amendments needed and have them republished by the Government Printer in Cairo as a GHQ EEF publication with a new reference number. 

 

The CDS (Central Distribution Section - War Office) published documents originally for GHQ BEF before the AP&SS was established in France. Once that occurred some of the publications were of such generic nature that they continued to be printed and distributed with a CDS reference number, such as CDS 313, as they were of benefit in multiple theatres.

 

There is a need for a list of GHQ EEF and GHQ MEF publications similar to that of the CDS and SS type lists.

 

Cheers,

Chris

[Gareth Davies]

Thanks Chris.

[MikeMeech]

On ‎07‎/‎04‎/‎2017 at 11:06, Gareth Davies said:

When did the changes to platoon tactics, structures and associated equipment arrive with the EEF?  I know that 74 Division were reorganised in August 1917 but instead of the rifle grenade section they had a sniper section (this is described in the Divisional history).  When did 52nd, 53rd, and 54th Divisions change?

Hi

I don't know the whole extent of document use but it appears the procedures as laid down in the Appendix "B" of SS 135 was followed in the EEF, this is reference Air and Infantry Co-operation (and also connected to the air and cavalry procedures used in the EEF).  This was not a one-way street as information on the use of the message pick-up hook used by the EEF was sent to the Western Front in 1916, with trials undertaken there, and also the modified form of it was sent during 1918.

 

Mike

Edited 9 April , 2017 by MikeMeech

[Stuart24]

Hi Gareth,

 

I've come across references in various war diaries about retraining in the SS143 method  -sometimes the publication is specifically named, and sometimes it is just obvious from the description.  Generally it starts soon after the 2nd Battle of Gaza, and seems to have been done at the discretion of the divisional commander and timed to coincide with periods of rest off the line, which as you know were less frequent than in France.

 

One example I have to hand is the war diary of the 1/4th Sussex Regt:

 

13-31 July 1917:  The Battalion was engaged in Training.  Classes in Grenadiers, Signallers, Lewis Gunners, Scout Observers, Range Finders and Stretcher Bearers were commenced.  Platoons were re-organised by sections on the lines laid down in War Office Pamphlet SS 143.

 

Dr Aimee Fox-Godden has been doing a lot of work in this area, and discussed it in a recent journal article in 'War in History', Vol 23, No. 2, March or April 2016.

 

All the best

Stuart

 

[Gareth Davies]

Thanks Stuart.

 

Do you know if the Sussex mirrored the BEF organisation exactly or did their practice follow that of the 74th Division (in other words, delete rifle grenade section and insert sniper section)?

 

I know Aimee's work, that's what got me started on this. I will drop her a line. 

[ddycher]

Gareth

 

Did you bottom out on this. I am looking at specialist training and the organization of platoons in the concentration of the 75th division in September 1917. With respect to the 5th Devons (my focus) specialist training was carried out at the Specialist School in El-Arish which I believe followed SS143 but not finding any set requirements laid down on the Bn's or Companies.

 

Would appreciate a quick pointer.

 

Regards

Dave

[Gareth Davies]

No I didn't.

[ddycher]

Thanks

 

Regards

Dave