1st Canadian Air Support Signals Unit

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by Carruthers

Does anyone have info about this unit? There seems to be no info available on them. They used Chev 15 cwt trucks with signals body and No9 sets made by RCA. They operated with 2nd Army through Holland and up into the Baltic 44-45. There were two units in 2nd Army: 1st Canadian and 2nd British ASSU. My Dad was in the later. Brits used Morris C4 W/T 15 cwt. Dirk Leegwater has a Chev of the same type but info on the actual unit is sketchy. Royal Signals museum have NO info!

Any info appreciated.
Simon

Hi Simon;

1st Canadian Air Support Signal Unit:

Serial 476 - First Canadian Air Support Control Signal Section, R.C.C.S. - was authorized under General Order Number 71 of 1942 - effective 24 December 1941 - Converted & Redesignated: Serial No. 476 - First Canadian Air Support Signal Unit, R.C. Sigs under General Order Number 216 of 1944 - effective 14 January 1944

Serial 476 - First Canadian Air Support Signal Unit, R.C. Sigs was redesignated: Serial No. 476 - 1st Canadian Air Support Signal Unit, R.C. Sigs under General Order Number 335 of 1944 - effective 15 June 1944

Serial 476 - 1st Canadian Air Support Signal Unit, R.C. Sigs was disbanded under General Order Number 321 of 1945 - effective 26 June 1945

Brief description of the duties/employment of 1st Canadian Air Support Signal Unit:

1st Canadian Air Support Signal Unit came under the GSO Air of the General Staff Branch Headquarters, First Canadian Army, for direction and employment.

1st Canadian Air Support Signal Unit was developed as an independent signals network designed to pass messages relating to air action exclusively, without interference from other traffic.

1st Canadian Air Support Signal Unit had a Headquarters Section at Headquarters First Canadian Army and a number of mobile wireless sets which were deployed as tentacles to Corps, Division and Brigade Headquarters, and sometimes to units. They also served as rear links for Air Liaison Sections.

1st Canadian Air Support Signal Unit provided Headquarters First Canadian Army with the following:

- regular reports of the position of forward troops
- requests for support and air reconnaissance
- other information likely to affect air action

The ASSU also relayed reconnaissance information to the units they operated with and the ASSU also allowed the Corps Commander to monitor requests from subordinate units for air support.

The ASSU Section at Headquarters First Canadian Army received requests for air support and advised on whether they were approved or not. It also passed situation reports and relevant information to wings and reported the results of sorties to requesting formations.

Hope this helps.

Cheers