Typical Tank Regiment Structure

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by Tony258, Jan 4, 2025.

  1. Tony258

    Tony258 Member

    I am looking at the 45th RTR history in Egypt on behalf of my partner and i am struggling to be certain of the Regiments size and structure. I do have the War Diaries, and some information obtained from Bovington. I have gleaned that the regiment had 3 squadrons (2 Swallow and 1Cruiser- A15?) plus a RHQ squadron along with the various support echelons. Does 5 troops of 3 tanks per Squadron sound correct plus 4 off SHQ tank with a total manning of circa 140 per Squadron. With the RHQ Squadron tanks added the total regiment content would be circa 70 plus tanks plus support vehicles - total manning circa 640? I have yet to find any real consistency in the build - ups and appreciate that doctrine changed the shape of such structures as the war progressed. Any help or pointers in the right direction would be most appreciated.
     
  2. Gary Kennedy

    Gary Kennedy Member

    The below is just quickly culled from my old website -

    The Armoured Regiment, circa mid 1940 to mid 1942

    Regimental Headquarters (5 Officers, 12 men);

    4 Cruiser tanks

    Headquarter Squadron (6 Officers, 122 men)

    Squadron HQ (2 Officers, 4 men)

    Intercommunication Troop (19 men);

    10 Scout cars

    Administrative Troop (4 Officers, 99 men)

    Three Squadrons (7 Officers, 138 men), each comprised of;

    Squadron HQ 'fighting portion' (3 Officers, 13 men);

    4 Cruiser tanks (could include 2 close support variants dependent upon cruiser tank type)

    Squadron HQ 'administrative portion' (81 men)

    Four Troops, each (1 Officer, 11 men);

    3 Cruiser tanks

    Total Strength of;

    580 all ranks (32 Officers and 548 men)

    52 Cruiser tanks (including up to 6 close support variants dependent upon cruiser tank type)

    10 Scout cars

    The Armoured Regiment, Middle East, circa late 1942 to mid 1943

    Regimental Headquarters (5 Officers, 12 men);

    4 Cruiser tanks

    Headquarters Squadron (7 Officers, 122 men);

    Squadron HQ (2 Officers, 4 men)

    Reconnaissance Troop (1 Officer, 19 men);

    10 Scout cars

    Inter-communication Troop (16 men);

    8 Scout cars

    Administrative Troop (4 Officers, 83 men) * reduced by 1 man November 1942

    Three Squadrons (7 Officers, 114 men), each comprised of;

    Squadron HQ (3 Officers, 70 men) * increased by 6 men November 1942

    4 Cruiser tanks

    Four Troops, each (1 Officer, 11 men);

    3 Cruiser tanks

    Total strength of 509 all ranks (33 Officers, 476 men) * subject to increase for Regiments using 5, 6 or 7 man crews

    52 Cruiser tanks (including 6 close support variants dependent upon cruiser tank type)

    18 Scout cars

    Just to note, Tank Regiment was not a term you would normally find in British usage, RTR units were termed Battalions (though I think you might find a unit referring to itself as 'the Regiment' in some cases), while Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) and Headquarter Squadron (HQ Sqn) were distinct parts of the Regiment.

    Gary
     
  3. Tony258

    Tony258 Member

    Thanks very much indeed Gary - a great basis upon which to ponder. With the deliveries of Swallows just prior to Alamein, i can now see how the numbers of men start to add up to the numbers in the War Diaries. The other issue i have no prior knowledge about is the degree of tank serviceability...in one case a figure of 35 tanks is quoted as being on the front line (but it's not clear if that's at the start of Op Lightfoot or on the 28th of Oct i.e. the 5th day) which would indicate a fairly high degree of unserviceability (even before a shot is fired?). The degree of intensive training prior to the battle must have taken a toll i suspect. As to your current website Gary i found it an excellent resource - good luck with its development and growth. Regards.
     
  4. Tony258

    Tony258 Member

    Thinking about the serviceability or otherwise of the regiment (battalion) assets i realised i dont understand the organisation of support ......just how much was the responsibility of the individual troop/squadron/regiment before the tank returned to a central repair/maintenance pool ie i presume the regiment was responsible for replacing engines/gearboxes etc with major repairs on turrets/hulls etc being done by the central organisation...were REME involved here? Apologies for my ignorance but if a source exist that explains the logic i would appreciate it ...also understand that in times of battle all this organisational structure would change shape as required. TIA. T
     
  5. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    What are 'Swallows'?

    Regiments/battalions did not have the means to do anything other than daily maintenance, and most certainly from my reading could not do quite involved stuff like engine replacements. Some repairs could be carried out in Brigade L.R.S., some more in Division Workshops, otherwise the tank had to be evacuated to rear areas, to go into the Board of Ordnance Workshops in the Delta. That's for 1941 and early 1942, things changed over time.

    All the best

    Andreas
     
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  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

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  7. Gary Kennedy

    Gary Kennedy Member

    For repair and maintenance, the basic structure remained as preventative work being done by crews in the first instance, with unit mechanics and REME fitters/mechanics in the Squadrons for slightly larger jobs. Then came the Light Aid Detachment, attached to certain units such as Armoured Regiments/Tank Battalions, with heavier kit, and behind them the Brigade Ordnance Companies, which were RAOC units introduced in North Africa from early 1942, replacing the preceding Light Repair/Recovery/Ordnance Field Park Sections. When REME was formed in late 1942, there does not appear to have been an instant change in the repair/recovery units in North Africa, which I think had to go on hold until the campaign was concluded, with the REME Brigade Workshops in the Middle East bearing a close resemblance to the earlier Brigade Ordnance Companies, less the OFP element. LADs were eternal between the RAOC and REME orgs!

    Gary
     
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  8. Tony258

    Tony258 Member

    Thanks very much guys,....now studying with Orders of Battle to hand....mean much more to me with the info you have supplied above.
    T
     
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2025
  9. TFairhurst

    TFairhurst Member

    Hello Tony, do you/your partner happen to have any photographs of the 45th RTR battalion during or before 1942? I am trying to source images of a family member who was killed at Al Alamein in October'42. Thanks, Tom



    Mod edit:
    Please add responses to this linked thread.

    https://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/7915539-cpl-ewart-blackwell-45th-rtr-leeds-rifles-26-10-1942-looking-for-photos.105992/
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 13, 2025

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