151 Brigade Anti-Tank company

Discussion in '1940' started by jerrymurland, Aug 28, 2016.

  1. jerrymurland

    jerrymurland Junior Member

    Has anyone got anything on this unit for 21 May 1940? I cannot pinpoint exactly where they were and what they got up to. similarly there is nothing I have yet found to say where exactly 92/field regiment were based on 21 May. any held gratefully received.

    Jerry
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Jerry not only do I want a mention in your next book but my 2 year old son does as well :)

    There is no 151 AT Coy diary for May, it was destroyed but this may help from 151 Bde HQ war diary
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  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  5. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    From 92 Field Regiments war diary
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  6. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    My understanding from my multifarious 50th (Northumbrian) Division reading resources is that the Arras-Counter Attack on 21 May 1940 had two columns and both involved a platoon of the 151st Brigate Anti-Tank Company.

    The red (or left) column was made up of the 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry, supported by the 4th RTR, 368th Bty 92nd Field Regiment RA, 206th Bty, 52nd Anti-Tank Regiment RA, a platoon of the 151st Brigade Anti-Tank Company, one company and a scout platoon of the 4th Bn Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.

    The blue (or right) column was made up of the 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry, supported by the 7th RTR, 365th Bty 92nd Field Regiment RA, 260th Bty 65th Anti-Tank Regiment RA, a platoon of the 151st Brigade Anti-Tank Company and a motor-cycle scout platoon of the 4th Bn Royal Northumberland Fusliers.

    The 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry and its assorted entourage followed behind this column.

    All were 50 Div troops, except the 4th and 7th RTR, and the 92nd Field Regiment RA and 52nd Anti-Tank Regiment RA (which were both 5th Infantry Division outfits).

    According to the 'Gateshead Gurkhas' (Moses), Page 139, following its withdrawal the following day, the 151st Infantry Brigade took up positions on Vimy Ridge with the "9th DLI [holding] the centre with guns of the [260th Bty 65th (Nofolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment], along with 151st Brigade Anti-Tank Company holding the Lens-Arras Road."

    NB. Words in square brackets are mine and there to aid understanding!

    Best,

    Steve.
     
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  7. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Further information from HyperWar; Page 90, in attached link: HyperWar: The War in France and Flanders 1939–1940 [Chapter VI]

    "General Martel planned the opening operation as an advance by two mobile columns, each to consist of a tank battalion, an infantry battalion from the 151st Brigade, a battery of field artillery, a battery of anti-tank guns, with a company of motor-cyclists for reconnaissance. The following troops were detailed:

    Right Column
    7th Royal Tank Regiment
    8th Durham Light Infantry
    365th Battery, 92nd Field Regiment, R.A.
    260th Battery, 65th Anti-Tank Regiment, R.A.
    One platoon 151st Brigade Anti-Tank Company
    One scout platoon 4th Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (Motor-cycle)

    Left Column
    4th Royal Tank Regiment
    6th Durham Light Infantry
    368th Battery, 92nd Field Regiment, R.A.
    206th Battery, 52nd Anti-Tank Regiment, R.A.
    One platoon, 151st Brigade Anti-Tank Company
    One company and one scout platoon, 4th Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (Motor-cycle)

    They were to cross the Arras–Doullens road at two o'clock in the afternoon. The infantry had an eight-mile march to reach their forming-up places; there was much congestion and refugee traffic on..."

    Best,

    Steve.
     
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  8. LondonNik

    LondonNik Senior Member

    Deleted
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2017
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  9. stevej60

    stevej60 Active Member

    Fascinating reading those reports,My uncle R.H.Smith 9th DLI{avatar Pic) was killed on the morning of the 26th when C
    coy's billet received a direct hit,I believe it was a school twenty three were killed they were buried in the village churchyard
    and removed to Lille South four were unidentified I'd like to think Bob was one of them we'll never know.
     
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