Mule Corps: Difference between revisions

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*Video: [http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060030433 Evacuation of "special force" mules and men by waterborne craft made especially for the occasion] Burma WW2 contains some images of mules. Imperial War Museums
*Video: [http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060030433 Evacuation of "special force" mules and men by waterborne craft made especially for the occasion] Burma WW2 contains some images of mules. Imperial War Museums
*Details of a reprint edition by DP&G Publications of [http://www.military-naval-history.co.uk/pages/Artillery%20&%20Ordnance%20Collection.htm ''Handbook for the Q.F. 3.7-Inch Mark 1 Howitzer On Marks 1 and II & III Carriages, Land Service 1930''] (Scroll down). "With detailed instruction and photographs of Mule carrying & Packsaddlery... Covers and shows in photographic form the full packing and transport of this gun by Mule. With good quality close up photographs of the saddlery , loads on the Mules, method of harness & pulling of assembled load plus all the Gun parts & its assembly".
*Details of a reprint edition by DP&G Publications of [http://www.military-naval-history.co.uk/pages/Artillery%20&%20Ordnance%20Collection.htm ''Handbook for the Q.F. 3.7-Inch Mark 1 Howitzer On Marks 1 and II & III Carriages, Land Service 1930''] (Scroll down). "With detailed instruction and photographs of Mule carrying & Packsaddlery... Covers and shows in photographic form the full packing and transport of this gun by Mule. With good quality close up photographs of the saddlery , loads on the Mules, method of harness & pulling of assembled load plus all the Gun parts & its assembly".
*Details of a reprint edition by DP&G Publications of [http://www.military-naval-history.co.uk/pages/artillery.htm. ''The Military Mule in the British Army and Indian Army''] PartI I. Over two hundred years of invaluable service  by Brian Nicholls. Part II. Indian army animal transport mule  by Philip Malins Part III. Mountain artillery mule  by Charles Macfetridge.  Available at the Imperial War Museums.
*Details of a reprint edition by DP&G Publications of [http://www.military-naval-history.co.uk/pages/artillery.htm ''The Military Mule in the British Army and Indian Army''] PartI I. Over two hundred years of invaluable service  by Brian Nicholls. Part II. Indian army animal transport mule  by Philip Malins Part III. Mountain artillery mule  by Charles Macfetridge.  Available at the Imperial War Museums.


==Historic books online==
==Historic books online==

Revision as of 12:01, 4 November 2013

Mules formed part of the supply and transport section of armies and were particularly popular with expeditionary forces which had to travel over rougher terrain. A mule driver is called a muleteer.

Punjab Mountain Battery showing swivel gun barrel on mule

Mule Corps of the Indian Army

Prior to 1884 no permanent transport department was established in the Indian Army and animals, carts and drivers were hired locally when required. Between 1884 and 1887 a separate transport corps existed. This became known as the Commissariat Transport Department and was under the control of the Military Department.

However by 1905 a further reorganisation had witnessed the emergence of a regular corps and cadres of mules, camels and cart transport. "This now consists of 21 mule corps, 9 silladar camel cadres and 2 pony cart train cadres. A mule corps is commanded by a British officer and is divided into two subdivisions, each in charge of a warrant officer. Those for cavalry brigades are divided into six draught and four pack troops , each under a daffadar and have a total strength of 552 all ranks, with 936 mules. Those for use wih other arms are divided into nine pack troops, each under a daffadar, and have a total strength of 388 of all ranks with 840 mules. Cadres of mule corps are commanded by a British Officer and maintain practically the full number of supervising and artificer establishments. They have, however, a much smaller number of mules." [1]

Fibiwiki article on Mountain Guns describes the artillery that could be carried by mules

The mule corps played an integral part in the various theatres of war during the First World War such as France, Gallipoli, Egypt and Basra.

Records

page from 1905 Indian Army List showing entries for Mule corps

Details of where the individual sections of the Mule Corps were based each year are included in the annual Indian Army Lists under the section entitled "Supply and Transport Corps". (An example page from 1905 is shown).

External links

Historic books online

References