APPENDIX

46 DIV EXERCISE "RAPID"

11 Dec 41

2050   C.R.A's orders.  Zero 0800 hrs. 12.12.41. Orders for Composite Bty.
       F.S. O.Ps. and Recce Group Svy Troop to move on route B with 71 Field
       S.R. Troop Ranging Section and Svy Troop remain under Bty command and
       to be concentrated south of Ashford, to move on route "C" before
       0900 hrs 12.12.41.

12 Dec 41
0040 hrs B.C's orders at Eastwell Park,
               F.S. Observation Section not under command of 71 Field.
               S.R. Troop to keep in close touch with 2 Med
0730       C.R.A. ordered S.R., Svy and Ranging Section to move on route C behind
              2 Med at Z + 4 hrs 20 mins.
0800      F.S. Observation Section reported to 71 Field.
0930      Remainder of Composite Bty moving into hide in wood 457566.
1000      F.S. Observation Section and Svy Recce Group on road east of Sic Mile
              Cottage 5762.
1030      F.S. Troop Commander reported to C.B.O. visibility 150 yds.  Chance of
              deployment - nil.
1300      C.R.A's orders.  S.R. Troop under command 2 Med. Ranging section under
             command 70 Field. Svy Troop given rough gun areas.
             F.S. Observation Section.  Constant recce and contact with infantry until
             188 hrs, but unable to find suitable O.Ps.
1945     Moved into hide at Whiteacre 5566.
2240     C Post being deployed in area 5768.  (map recce).
             Ranging Section
1430     Section Commander received orders to contact C.O. 70 Field.
1600     Section arrived in Hazel Street 530647.
1615     Internal survey of base begun.
1715     Survey of base completed.
1700     Gun Troop moved forward.
             S.R. Troop
1530    Troop arrived at Elmstead Court.
1630    Co-operating Troop of 2 Med preparing to move.     S.R. Base in process of
            deployment.
            Survey Troop
            At dark H.Q. established at Sheep Court 5665.   All gun regts contacted.
            Troop in process of establishing survey data in gun areas by night survey.
13 Dec 41
            F.S. Observation Section.
0045    C Post in action.
0140 to 0740 Numerous flashes of enemy guns reported to C.B.O.  (bearings and
            suggested locations only)
0920    B Post deployed 591697
1100    In action.
            Ranging Section
            Daylight - survey work started.
1100    Survey completed.
0930    Meteor shoot with gun troop on 1/25000 map spot.
            S.R.  Troop
0049    Troop Commander reported he would locate on 3 microphones.
0230    Reported unable to operate.
1100    Troop came out of action.
Survey Troop  Checked survey data passed to all gun regts by 0930 hrs.

            General
F.S.
1.  Initial orders.  No definite role.
2.  Whole of observation section taken up instead of O.Ps. only.
3.  Observation completely impossible on the 12th owing to ground and very bad
     visibility.  Observations obtained during the night were on the whole inaccurate.
Ranging Section
1.  Should have been placed under command from the outset.
2.  Gun Troop moved before base could come into action.

S.R. Troop.
1.  Should have been placed under command 2 Med from the outset and allowed to deploy
     with co-operating troop instead of after it.
2.  Considerable technical difficulty was experienced throughout and the troop was
     practised mainly in deployment and manoeuvre.

Survey.
Night survey was very well carried out and data was given to the guns in ample
time for divisional fire plan.