Thread: Patch help
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Old 30-06-20, 06:20 PM
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Postwarden Postwarden is offline
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Perfectly good example of a small TA/AER unit of the 1950s.

Some background below from my book Badges on Battle Dress.

Jon


Meeting on Armistice Day 1954 the Army Council discussed a suggestion that, ‘in the very likely event of extensive damage to major ports…by thermo-nuclear attack’, the Army should form several Port Task Forces (PTF) to operate small alternative ports in South Wales, southern England and Europe. A PTF working party looked first at the TA’s 264th Beach Brigade, created to preserve the ‘over the beaches maintenance role’ developed in wartime and assist in the working of damaged ports and small harbours. Although the Brigade could form the basis of the PTFs it would require additional personnel who might be found from AA Command supporting units and the conversion of existing reserve units. In February 1956 the Council accepted a recommendation to create four Port Task Forces, three for Britain and one for Europe. Expected to handle 2,000 tons of stores and 300 vehicles daily, each would comprise a Port Regiment of three Port Operating Squadrons, a Crane Operating Squadron and a pioneer group. Their role and organization were outlined in a June 1956 Army Council letter and detailed orbats published in May 1957. Whilst 3rd PTF was based around Liverpool and 4th (Scottish) PTF recruited in Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock , 1st and 2nd Port Task Forces’ units were scattered from Gateshead to Wolverhampton .
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