Deployment to Scandinavia March 1940

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histan
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Deployment to Scandinavia March 1940

#1

Post by histan » 19 Mar 2019, 23:34

Does anyone have any information about plans to deploy III Corps to Scandinavia in March 1940?

Regards

John

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Andy H
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Re: Deployment to Scandinavia March 1940

#2

Post by Andy H » 04 Apr 2019, 18:03

histan wrote:
19 Mar 2019, 23:34
Does anyone have any information about plans to deploy III Corps to Scandinavia in March 1940?

Regards

John
Hi John

What's the source or context from which your asking this question?

Best

Andy H


MarkN
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Re: Deployment to Scandinavia March 1940

#3

Post by MarkN » 04 Apr 2019, 18:18

I do not think Adam's III Corps was ever slated for anything other than the BEF in France. However, at least one brigade, perhaps from III Corps, was indeed planned to return from France and be sent north. But it never happened.

On the otherhand, I believe it was Auchinleck's Corps (IV Corps ??) that was assigned to take over Norway operations if the scale of forces increased to one warrenting a 3* command. But it never got to that stage.

histan
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Re: Deployment to Scandinavia March 1940

#4

Post by histan » 04 Apr 2019, 18:54

I have a copy of the Operations Record Book (RAF Form 540) for HQ 2 Component Field Force RAF.

This was formed on 1 March 1940 and the first entry states:

"1 March 1940 Headquarters No 2 Component Field Force began to form at RAF Station Benson on 1st March 1940 under conditions of secrecy for possible operations in Scandinavia as Air Component to an Army Force composed primarily of IIIrd Corps.

"6 March 1940 AOC accompanied by SASO visited HQ III Corps and discussed Operational Plans in general terms."

HQ 2 Component received orders from the Air Ministry to disband on 19 March 1940.

I wondered if anybody with knowledge of Army plans or access to III Corps War Diary might have any knowledge of proposed deployment area, etc.

Regards

John

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Andy H
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Re: Deployment to Scandinavia March 1940

#5

Post by Andy H » 06 Apr 2019, 19:29

Hi histan

Thank you for providing the original source and something I obviously wasn't aware of. However, given that air component was disbanded after only 18days, I imagine any 'discussion or planning' was very broad and basic.

Maybe ask over on http://www.ww2talk.com/index.php if you haven't already.
There are a few chaps there who live and breath the National Archives in Kew.

Regards

Andy H

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