Alessandro Tuzza[Railway reconstruction Italy 1943-1946 published by Royal Engineers, 1946]
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Chapter I
ORGANISATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION EFFORT
Section II.
Regimental Organisation
2. - Mechanical Equipment Units.
The Mechanical Equipment Units taking part in the Italian campaign were 187 M.E. (Tn) Company R.E. with 45 and 46 M.E. (Tn) Platoons R.E. who all arrived in the theatre at the beginning of operations, and 89 M.E. (Tn) Platoon R.E. which was formed in August 1944. Although these units at various times carried out work for the South African (who were for most purposes self supporting in mechanical equipment), the Indian and the American Groups, the bulk of their work was done for the two British Groups.
In view of the long distances which frequently separated the British Groups and the exceptionally difficult road conditions, it was decided at the beginning of the campaign that the most satisfactory results would be achieved if one M.E. Platoon was allotted to each Group on a permanent basis. 45 M.E. Platoon was therefore placed under command 1212 Group and 46 Platoon under 1 Group. When 89 Platoon was formed it was retained, under command 187 Company Headquarters as a reserve for special duties.
This organisation was retained throughout the campaign and after. The M.E. Platoon took instructions on day to day technical matters from the Rly. Construction Group commanders and were maintained mechanically and administered (in matter peculiar to M.E.) by 187 M.E. (Tn) Coy. 187 M.E. (Tn) Coy. reported direct to Tn. Headquarters. O.C. 187 M.E. (Tn) coy was always available to R.C.E.s for advice on M.E. problems.
It might be thought that this organisation which contained a considerable division of command and responsibility would not work efficiently. In actual fact by exercise of considerable goodwill and understanding by all concerned, and particularly by the M.E. officers, the organisation worked with commendable smoothness at all times.
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[Railway reconstruction Italy 1943-1946 published by Royal Engineers, 1946]