Electricity supplies on the battlefield

[Retlaw]

Some on a local forum posted a picture of a small transformer they picked up France, claiming it was possibly of WW1 vintage. I disagreed as it would require AC to work. I don't think AC was available. batteries, yes,  but AC generators. Anyone know about Lecky supplies at the front.

Retlaw the S.U.I.B.

[Open Bolt]

The well known photograph of human-powered DC (German equipment) https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205238904

[Terry_Reeves]

Th RE Signal Service had Portable Electric Light Sets (P.E.L). 

TR

[AOK4]

The Germans had built an elaborate electricity grid, which was used to even put electricity on the barbed wire in no man's land (some details about this can be found in my book "Defending the Ypres Front").

 

Jan

[SiegeGunner]

In 1916 the German positions at Fromelles were supplied with electricity by a direct link to a power station near Lille.

[squirrel]

At Loos in 1915 one British unit tapped in to a German electricity supply and used it to power lighting, sigs etc.

[new3.2]

One of those narrow gauge British locomotives had an "adapter" to power an electrical generator.  Could look it up if necessary.

new 3.2

[NigelS]

8 hours ago, new3.2 said:

One of those narrow gauge British locomotives had an "adapter" to power an electrical generator.  Could look it up if necessary.

There's an image of one powering an attached workshop in this post https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/173218-ww1-military-motors-1916-set-x-50-cards/?do=findComment&comment=2260864  from the 'WW1 Military Motors - 1916 set x 50 cards' thread. Scrolling back and forwards from this will find other examples of generating equipment   - & mobile workshops powered by them - which were used at the front.

 

NigelS

Edited 30 November , 2018 by NigelS
correction