"Use of light recce cars by RASC AA LMG detachments?" Topic

I have seen it mentioned over the years that RASC Transport Companies used light recce cars for their LMG AA detachments in Northwest Europe. I can't recall seeing any context as to when from and to what extent.

The HQ of an RASC Transport Company was authorised two 15-cwt trucks, fitted with Motley mountings (rear), and each Transport Platoon another such vehicle, which were provided for AA defence. In post-war WEs from 1946-48, these trucks had been replaced by scout cars, rather than LRCs.

The Royal Canadian Army Service Corps made the change to Otter LRCS for its LMG Dets in early 1944, and these are detailed in WEs and summaries.

Is there anything specific on the RASC implementing a similar change in NWE?

Gary

My Uncle Jim was in "Ally Sloper's Cavalry" in WW2. He is, sadly, no longer with us.
My response to your post:
Official WE tables (1944–45) for RASC MT companies do not show an authorised change from 15-cwt AA trucks to scout cars for the LMG / AA detachments.
Any adoption of scout cars/light recce vehicles for RASC AA/self-defense duties in NWE was ad hoc and local and not an officially recognised change in the core RASC transport company establishment.
So, highly possible that Humbers or Dingos might have been appropriated but you may have trouble substantiating it. Old photos?

No, definitely no WE change until October 1946, and then only with War Office approval. There was a great call on Humber scout cars by the RAC in NWE so I don't think there was any appreciable slack that allowed them to go to non-RAC units.

Morris light recce cars were available in this period I think, as the Recce Corps was using the Humber Mk III LRC through 1944-45 in 21 Army Group. I thought that the RE were using the Humber LRC as well in the theatre, however the only couple of photos that I could find online of Morris LRCs have Tac signs for Inf Div Engrs…

As LRCs were counted as "B" vehicles they don't have the same profile as AFVs I find. If they were used by the RASC there will be an order somewhere but I've not stumbled across anything to date.

Gary

Gary, you are clearly more knowledgeable on this topic than me.

However, my Uncle James was in the RASC in NWE Europe in 1945. He was a pithy Glaswegian and did speak of his experiences – most of which I've forgotten. A thing that I do remember are tales of "requisitioning" anything not nailed down. From civilians, Americans, Germans & other British units. I could picture them "borrowing" some light recce vehicles.

Additionally, there was a much higher mechanical ability in the RASC than was usual for the time – remember, most Tommies could not even drive a car or truck. I could picture them finding broken or damaged vehicles & repairing them for their own use.

Uncle James' tales may or may not help but do suggest that a lot went on that was not Regulation.