North Irish Horse, Captain Reginald Thomas WHATLEY

[Gerry Chester]

This posting I am sending in two parts - for some strange reason that I am using 25 images etc. So here's hoping.


Thanks to Hugh’s research, as the Citation sets Point 174 as being the scene, we can offer additional information for Paui.

The Churchills belonged to the 142^nd Bn. Royal Armoured Corps which had the onerous task of assisting the infantry clear Guerat-el-Atach the higher of two hills sitting in the middle of the Valley down which the final attack to liberate Medjerda Tunis took place.




As the map of the Valley shows, both Points 151 and 174 had to be cleared of the enemy to allow the thinner skinned Shermansl of the two Amoured Divisions to break through. This task fell to Churchills of the NIH and 142^nd RAC the latter bearing the brunt of the attack. After Point 151 was captured, 142^nd RAC ran into A/T fire while approaching the higher hill, although none of their Churchills was destroyed, being disabled they had to be moved quickly from the confined area between the two hills to permit the assault to continue. None of the NIH Churchills suffered any damage. An extract from the North Irish Horse battle reports is relevant:


Gerry

[Gerry Chester]

"At 0430 hours on 6th May the big attack started. The 4th British Division was on the right and 4th Indian Division, supported by 142nd R.A.C., with N.I.H. C squadron vice their A squadron, and 145th R.A.C., were on the left. 145th R.A.C., supported 5th Indian Brigade and 142nd R.A.C. the 7th Indian Brigade. C squadron N.I.H. passed through the Gab Gab Gap and moved forward to an assembly area. By 0600 hours the first phase of the attack had proved successful and 142nd R.A.C. pushed through the Gap at about 0800 hours. C squadron N.I.H., whose role was to protect the left flank, formed up behind Souissi but the advance was slightly delayed by the infantry, who were late. By 1000 hours 7th Indian Infantry Brigade were on their first objective and immediately afterwards they pushed right on to Aoud Zriga. During this action C squadron captured six 88 mm. anti-tank guns, two of whose crews did not fire a shot.
As C squadron reached the final objective the leading elements of 7th Armoured Division were starting to pass through the hole which had been punched. At the same time 6th Armoured were streaming through on the right. The timing of the whole operation was extraordinarily good and the work of the artillery against enemy anti-tank guns extremely effective and splendidly executed. Only five enemy tanks were seen and they were engaged as they moved away from the final objective which was immediately converted into a firm base by our infantry and anti-tank guns."

[Gerry Chester]

This is crazy - 25 Smileys still stopping things - hence three posts!

The battle was a classic example of the effectiveness of heavy and lighter tank co-operation as espoused by Winston Churchill.
“Tank Supply Policy
Under the above heading, the P.M.l wrote a 6-point memo dated 23rd April 1943. Written as a result of receiving positive reports on "his" tank, it was addressed to Sir Edward Bridges et al.
"The idea of having a spear-point or battering ram of heavily armoured vehicles to break the enemy's front and make a hole through which the lighter vehicles can be pushed has a very high military significance."


This is an extract from General B.G. Horrocks’:after battle report
"By mid-day we were through the crust and the tanks were grinding their way forward down the valley towards Medjerda Tunis. It was a most inspiring sight to see these two well-trained and experienced
armoured divisions being used for the role for which armoured divisions were specifically designed—to exploit a break-through deep into the enemy's heart. They worked like efficient machines, aircraft, guns, tanks, infantry and vehicles each fitting into the jigsaw of battle in its proper place.”


Hugh has provided proof that Paul’s father commanded 142 RAC’s LAD and, more importantly, confirms that his award of the M.C. was more than justified.


Cheers Gerry