21st ARMY GROUP-8th MAY 1945

[rockape560]

hi all,

picked up this unframed poster today..it shows all the major units under the command of 21st ARMY GROUP as of the 8th MAY 1945

not entirely sure when the poster was issued and to who but shows some hard to get badges in my view

sorry the pics are not the best but im not a pro photogapher

philip

[Mike Jackson]

I believe that this excellent poster was produced in late 1945 by 21 Army Group - using German printers. Two interesting details are the inclusion of the sign of 54 (East Anglian) Inf Div and the evidence that the sign of 59 (Staffordshire) Inf Div was perpetuated by 59 AGRA after the Division, due to battle casualties sustained, was dispersed in August 1944. Mike

[54Bty]

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

the evidence that the sign of 59 (Staffordshire) Inf Div was perpetuated by 59 AGRA after the Division, due to battle casualties sustained, was dispersed in August 1944. Mike

I thought everyone new that.

Marc

[rockape560]

hi mike,

the one that surprised was the AIRFIELD CONSTRUCTION GROUP badge..to be honest i had never heard of it before.

would this group have been a joint RE and RAF command?...guess the orginal badge would be worth a mint today

philip

[Old Smelly]

From a photo album that I aquired recently, the former owner was an nco in 4MT Inspection Branch, RASC, BAOR. Album dates from 1945/46.
Pic 1 SQMS Smith in the office, sign chart on the wall
Pic 2 Direction sign showing numerous military and civilian units
Pic 3 Close up of sign
Pic 4 German PoWs employed by the unit, presumably with MT experience, the one on the left with the M44 tunic has a large bagde on the sleeve

Lee

[Mike Jackson]

Excellent images. Who can tell me the expansion of the abbreviated unit title: 20 WTSFF? All ideas welcome. Mike

[Mike Jackson]

WTS - Weapons Technical Staff and, in the is context, FF - Field Formations

Their work included, for example:

For the views of the service men issued with early production versions of the No. 4 Rifle see *Summary and Consolidated Report by WTSFF on Infantry Questionnaire and Answers from Units in First and Eighth Armies on Conclusion of N. African Campaign May 1943'.

Or, on reflection, Women's Transport Service Free FANY?

[Historic Steve]

Originally Posted by Old Smelly

From a photo album that I aquired recently, the former owner was an nco in 4MT Inspection Branch, RASC, BAOR. Album dates from 1945/46.
Pic 1 SQMS Smith in the office, sign chart on the wall
Pic 2 Direction sign showing numerous military and civilian units
Pic 3 Close up of sign
Pic 4 German PoWs employed by the unit, presumably with MT experience, the one on the left with the M44 tunic has a large bagde on the sleeve

Lee

Just joined the forum, great photos, I am researching the early days of BAOR and can confirm this unit was in Bad Salzuflen as at Jan 46