Major Rogers was the Deputy Assistant Director of Ordnance Services (DADOS) of the 12th Infantry Division. The RAOC unit of a division was attached to divisional HQ and was responsible for the supply and maintenance of weaponry and munitions.
The 12th Division was a second-line Territorial Army formation, re-formed just prior to WW2 and it consisted mainly of half-trained units. The division was sent to France in 1940 (alongside 23rd and 46th Divisions) to act a pioneer unit, building roads, airfields, fortifications, etc. The unit was under-equipped from the outset and lacked their signals, artillery and administration components.
Following the German breakthrough in May 1940, the British, in their desperation to slow the German advance, were forced to commit units such as the 12th Division to the battle. While each soldier possessed his own rifle and 50 rounds of ammunition, the only anti-tank weapons were a handful of obsolete Boyes Anti-Tank Rifles. It was therefore highly unfortunate that the 36th and 37th Infantry Brigades (consisting of 5th Bn The Buffs, 6 & 7th Bns Royal West Kents, 2/6th East Surreys and 6 & 7th Bns Royal Sussex) ran into Major-General Erwin Rommel's 7th Panzer (armoured) Division, advancing towards the coast.
While the outcome was inevitable, the British infantry units resisted fiercely for some 36 hours between the 19th and 20th May, 1940. Casualties were extremely heavy and the survivors were forced to withdraw or surrender. The losses had been so significant that upon its return to England, the division had to be disbanded.
The 12th Division was a second-line Territorial Army formation, re-formed just prior to WW2 and it consisted mainly of half-trained units. The division was sent to France in 1940 (alongside 23rd and 46th Divisions) to act a pioneer unit, building roads, airfields, fortifications, etc. The unit was under-equipped from the outset and lacked their signals, artillery and administration components.
Following the German breakthrough in May 1940, the British, in their desperation to slow the German advance, were forced to commit units such as the 12th Division to the battle. While each soldier possessed his own rifle and 50 rounds of ammunition, the only anti-tank weapons were a handful of obsolete Boyes Anti-Tank Rifles. It was therefore highly unfortunate that the 36th and 37th Infantry Brigades (consisting of 5th Bn The Buffs, 6 & 7th Bns Royal West Kents, 2/6th East Surreys and 6 & 7th Bns Royal Sussex) ran into Major-General Erwin Rommel's 7th Panzer (armoured) Division, advancing towards the coast.
While the outcome was inevitable, the British infantry units resisted fiercely for some 36 hours between the 19th and 20th May, 1940. Casualties were extremely heavy and the survivors were forced to withdraw or surrender. The losses had been so significant that upon its return to England, the division had to be disbanded.
British Officer's identity card of Major Franklyn Rogers, Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) and BEF luggage label.
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