Artillery Fire Tasks Query arising during BATTLEAXE

[Sheldrake]

I’m not a gunner but was just wondering if they were using the terms DF and CP to differentiate who was calling for the fire and who would adjust it?

DF called for and adjusted for the infantry through a FOO, whereas a CP would have been called for and directed via formal RA channels as part of an organised shoot by the Command Post of each battery. So one defensive and the other more offensive?

Having said that, it might mean “china plate” and refer to the quality of the food in the officers’ mess. Don’t tell the RHA that though...

Regards

Tom

Tom, nice ideas, especially the china plate, but no. It doesn't work that way. Check Nigel Evan's page on WW2 engagement of targets https://nigelef.tripod.com/maindoc.htm# ... %20TARGETS

[ClintHardware]

I’m not a gunner but was just wondering if they were using the terms DF and CP to differentiate who was calling for the fire and who would adjust it?

DF called for and adjusted for the infantry through a FOO, whereas a CP would have been called for and directed via formal RA channels as part of an organised shoot by the Command Post of each battery. So one defensive and the other more offensive?

Regards

Tom

I hadn't thought of that but its a very logical possibility.

In terms of Counter Mortar there wasn't a lot of incoming mortar fire on the 16/6/41 to warrant such a differentiation - so probably not.

[Sheldrake]

I’m not a gunner but was just wondering if they were using the terms DF and CP to differentiate who was calling for the fire and who would adjust it?

DF called for and adjusted for the infantry through a FOO, whereas a CP would have been called for and directed via formal RA channels as part of an organised shoot by the Command Post of each battery. So one defensive and the other more offensive?

Regards

Tom

I hadn't thought of that but its a very logical possibility.

In terms of Counter Mortar there wasn't a lot of incoming mortar fire on the 16/6/41 to warrant such a differentiation - so probably not.

Again, it did not work like that. DFs were planned with the infantry as were the targets for an offensive fireplan, also given target numbers and sometimes grouped with a nickname. Artillery did not share Registration/check/calibration points with the infantry. These points were engaged purely to improve the accuracy of artillery fire and the sort of Gunner mumbo-jumbo that made the average infanteer or tankie's eyes glaze over. (along with "zone" "cold gun effect" "mixed batches" and "theatre survey")

[ClintHardware]

Thanks for pointing that out Sheldrake.