Errolwi
Monthly Donor
Has Glenn239 considered the possibilities of invasion via omnibus? Obviously a Sunday would be out given reduced timetables, and best to avoid rush hour, but we could cram two or three divisions onto a couple of buses (reasonable as we all know when one doesn't turn up without a second). Bolt them onto four pedaloes and sneak them off at Sandown to infiltrate the day-trippers. Simples!
Um, it was the NZers that were bus-mobile (as I mentioned earlier). The timing for this reference is mid-July. Not sure if equivalent lift was provided to the other divisions of 7 Corps.
http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Gree-c2.html#n35
There was still an acute shortage of arms, vehicles and equipment. Fifth Field Regiment had only one battery: a collection of 18-pounder guns and 4.5-inch howitzers. The anti-tank companies had been given the Bedford 30-cwt trucks, sheeted with ⅝ inch steel plate and equipped with Bren guns and anti-tank rifles. C Squadron Divisional Cavalry had six light tanks and six Bren carriers. The Army Service Corps details, men from the Petrol and Ammunition Companies, had motor lorries, but for the transportation of troops 8 and 9 Motor Coach Companies had been attached from the RoyalArmy Service Corps. With their enormous camouflaged buses they could lift the whole force in one move.
Some interesting descriptions of decisions around sending forces overseas from the UK in the following few pages.