Captain dEwell | 21 May 2016 2:15 a.m. PST |
What sort of weapons would have been available at the various Barracks, Depots, and Terrotorial Centres in London, and throughout the U.K. as a whole? For example, would the Guards Battalions in London have artillery batteries, or even an artillery piece or two? Thanks in advance. |
Bob the Temple Builder | 21 May 2016 2:52 a.m. PST |
Most regular units would have had sufficient weaponry for them to equip themselves for their specific roles. Therefore a Guards battalion would have had rifles, LMGs, HMGs, and mortars. They would not have had any artillery; that would have been held by units of the Royal Artillery. Territorial units (which were distributed around the country in local drill halls, and which were mostly of company/battery/troops size) would have had sufficient weaponry for training purposes, but the bulk of their equipment would have been held in central depots and issued when they were mobilised. |
nickinsomerset | 21 May 2016 5:30 a.m. PST |
At St Johns Wood Bks the Kings Troop had some 1915 13pdrs! At the City Barracks the HAC had some 25pdrs. A Guards Battalion would have mortars and small arms. There were no Guards Artillery pieces. Small arms,armoured cars and artillery would have been kept at TA drill halls if so equipped. Regular Regiments would hold whatever weapons they were equipped with from pistols to MBTs. Apart from a small amount for the guard forces, Ammunition would be held at specific ammo compounds and issued as and when required. Tally Ho! |
GarrisonMiniatures | 21 May 2016 7:08 a.m. PST |
Back in the 70s I was in the OTC based at Carlton Barracks Leeds – as I recall armoury included SLRs, Stirlings, Brens, 2" mortars, thunderflashes. To my eternal shame I can't remember what else was in there… must have had ammo though. |
dwight shrute | 21 May 2016 7:14 a.m. PST |
Only soft skins in the TA cenre in Windsor and an old deactivated 25pdr … |
kiltboy | 21 May 2016 10:59 a.m. PST |
Personal weapons would have been stored there plus a scale amount of additional weapons so a unit that was undermanned would have had additional personal weapons available should recruiting pick up. Additional support weapons such as LSW, MG would also be available. I don't recall large amounts of ammunition being stored at the same time but a limited amount would be available for armed guards. There may also have been limited pyro such as smoke as well. My experience circa 1993-97. |
andysyk | 21 May 2016 11:26 a.m. PST |
Very little ammo held even for guard patrols. As stated ammo was held elsewhere and had to be requisitioned. TA units most likely would have no ammo on site. |
Green Tiger | 21 May 2016 2:00 p.m. PST |
Should you be asking about this? |
nickinsomerset | 22 May 2016 3:53 a.m. PST |
Green Tiger, looking at the fact that this sits in the inter war board seems to indicate it is research for VBCW games, Tally Ho! |
kiltboy | 22 May 2016 4:13 a.m. PST |
Also if you read up on how the IRA were armed in the initial 1920s they stole them from police etc. |
Captain dEwell | 22 May 2016 9:35 a.m. PST |
Thanks again, much to ponder. It is, indeed, research for VBCW and, as I know where the Central Ammunition Dumps, RAF Munitions Storage, and Royal Navy Ammunitions Storage, as well as the Royal Ordinance Factory, Royal Gunpowder Factory, and Royal Small Arms Factory were all situated, it is a big step forward in determing my VBCW campaign plan. Cheers |
Bob the Temple Builder | 22 May 2016 3:11 p.m. PST |
What no one involved in VBCW games have taken into account is that Woolwich in South East London had massive stocks of equipment (including ammo) stored on its site. It was also the home of the Royal Artillery and the site of the Victorian Grand Depot, where all the equipment for an expeditionary Foce was stored until the First World War … and to a lesser extent, after it. There was so much stuff stored in various places on Plumstead Marshes that a lot of it got forgotten about. There is a story that at the beginning of the Second World War the War Department wanted to acquire some railway guns. When they asked about what large calibre naval guns were available for conversion into railway guns, they were asked why, as there were several stored in a large shed on the Marches. The WD had forgotten that they were there! |
Captain dEwell | 22 May 2016 9:30 p.m. PST |
Shush, Bob …whisper it quietly! Just our little secret, eh? |
Reactionary | 24 May 2016 3:05 a.m. PST |
In my time – late Cold War – unit scale weapon stocks including artillery and armoured vehicles were kept at the drill hall. Lowish levels of ammunition however. In these days of whole fleet management you might get a flare pistol and a minibus if you are lucky… Interwar as above. One of my TA jobs was inspecting the security of TA armouries in London… |