portee crew

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Mark W. Tonner
Don't know if this helps, but the standard 'gun detachment' for the 2pdr and 17pdr A/T guns were:

2pdr A/T gun: (Total: 5 man detachment)

Number 1 - gun commander
Number 2 - loader
Number 3 - layer
Number 4 - ammunition number
Number 5 - ammunition number

Seating on a 2pdr 'portee':

1 and 5 beside the driver (5 nearest the driver)
3 on the gun seat
2 on the near side rear seat
4 on the offside rear seat

17pdr A/T gun (towed): (Total: 7 man detachment)

Hi Mark, this certainly helps, but also raises a few questions:
- Wouldn't the driver double as the no.4 or 5 ammunition number?
- With such large detachments, a gun and ammunition to be carried on or behind a 101" wheelbase tractor, could it be these operated in tandem with a GS truck acting as an ammunition carrier? This truck could then seat a few of the gun detachment as well.

Thanks,
Hanno