R.H.O. Supplies Foreign Unit
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TO help in the relief of the civil popu
lations in recently liberated areas, the Minister of War Transport has, in conjunction with S.H.A.E.F., sent to North-Western • Europe a number of heavy, goods vehicles, with a total carrying capacity of about 500 tons. These vehicles have been provided by arrangement with some of the haulage undertakings controlled by the Minis' try, and will remain part of the R.H.O. They are manned by volunteers recruited from the controlled undertakings and will operate as transport units under movement instructions from the military authorities.
The Ministry decided to restrict the supply to these undertakings mainly on account of the ease with which the financial arrangements can be made, and; of course, any vehicle destroyed will be replaced or compensation given.
All the drivers are equipped with smart blue uniforms, and, whilst 'they do not become soldiers, they are subject
to British military law, so that they • will not be under the jurisdiction of foreign courts. Feeding and medical arrangements will also las under the care of the military.
The first unit includes 40 oilengined 12-15-tonners of A.E.C. make. They will be accompanied by a mobile maintenance van; also, replacement tyres will be supplied. The personnel consists of some 65, including a controller, a traffic assistant, an administrative assistant, four clerks, four fitters and drivers. The period of service will probably be limited to six months. Their, work will chiefly be the carrying of commodities in hulk for long hauls. In this way they will help to relieve the railways, many of which have been badly damaged, and. in any case, are engaged largely on military transport.
If other units be sent, they will , possibly be differently constituted and the vehicles may not be so large.