Guys I am trying to find out if the 40th, 46th & 50th R/T/R recieved any reinforcements/replacement new tanks in either of August, September or October 1942. Or did they just have to make do with recovered and repaired vehicles? Thanks, David.
40th RTR - War diary for August and October 1942 does not mention any replacement tanks. Sept 42 WD is missing. This does not mean they did not receive any. 46th RTR - War diary states on August 4th that they are up to 39 tanks. Since they were down to 7 tanks on 22 July, that implies replacements and/or repairs. No other mention for August or October. September 1942 is also missing for this regiment. 50th RTR - Based on regimental history, unit left with 24 out of 47 tanks after July 22nd. No other mention of tank strengths through Alamein. There is some indication in the war diaries that there was some sharing of remaining Valentines as one unit of the brigade replaced another while supporting the Australians in late July and early September 1942.
David I think you'll struggle to ID any specific tank as a replacement from the UK or a repair from the Delta workshops. T.D.S. would have been given either, and there were a large number of rebuilts after CRUSADER and probably also after 1st Alamein. All the best Andreas
Thanks guys. It's difficult then to know how many tanks there actually were. I suppose a better way of doing it would be to look at the convoys arriving with tanks. (as opposed to those arriving with tank units).
David, Do you have the Annexes to go with the Monthly War Diaries, as these usually show the men and vehicle status's? ie Total loss, damage repairable replacements etc. Regards Tom
Tom. No I don't. In the past, diaries have been useful sources. But not all are available to me on-line. Best wishes, David.
Dave, If you really need the information it will mean either you taking a trip to Kew or enlisting the help of one of our Forum members who regularly attend and will Photograph them for a very fair price. My late father was transferred into the 23rd Armoured Brigade for a short time between 8.11.45 - 22.5.46, then he was transferrred into the 6th Armoured Division and finally ended up in the 1st Armoured Division until demobbed in 1947. Regards Tom
The amount of info that i require in the long run, makes it unviable to pay for, no matter how reasonable the price for any individual item. There is so much more about the campaign that I need to know, that I can pick and choose between all the free sources for years to come before I need to start shelling out. I've been using the internet and forums for research for aver 13 years now. But thanks anyway. And thanks to all on this forum who have helped me out in the past (and in the future!)
Hi David Here are some info about tank numbers from my notes. After the disastrous mauling 23 Armd Bde underwent at El Mreir on 22 July, the RAOC workshops successfully recovered some 60 tanks. Brigadier Misa was sacked and his replacement, Brigadier Richards made up the shortfall with Valentines from 24th Armd Bde who were a late arrival to the desert due to their ship having engine troubles en route. By the end of the August 1942, the 23rd Armoured Brigade, now with a fighting strength of 149 tanks, was held in reserve with 30th Corps, south of Ruswiesat Ridge. On the 6th September 1942, now safely back at Alam el Baoshaza, the brigade were re-assigned as the only armoured brigade supporting 30th Corps. 8th RTR’s General Grant tanks and 16 Bishop self propelled guns of 107th Field Regiment Royal Artillery were also brought in to bolster its fighting strength up to 186 tanks. Hope this helps Gus
David, Do you have the Annexes to go with the Monthly War Diaries, as these usually show the men and vehicle status's? ie Total loss, damage repairable replacements etc. Regards Tom Tom While this may have been the case later in the war, there was apparently a certain disdain for this in 8 Army, at least until February 42. You get the names alright, but getting tank numbers is like getting blood from a stone in many cases. All the best Andreas
