Warwickshire Yeomanry in North Africa

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by DavidW, May 10, 2012.

  1. DavidW

    DavidW Well-Known Member

    Can anyone help with tank deliveries to the Warwickshire Yeomanry from May - October 1942 please.
     
  2. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here is a summary for the Warwickshire Yeomanry for the period:


    9th Armoured Brigade – 1 August 1941 to 27 May 1943
    The regiment received the first modern tanks, two Stuart Light Tanks, on December 30th, 1941. The brigade remained in Palestine until May 9th, 1942 when it crossed into Egypt. On arrival, two more Stuarts were added on May 12th. By June 3rd, 1942 more tanks arrived including Grants. On May 29th, 1942 part of the brigade formed a composite regiment for the defence of Egypt until disbanded in mid-July 1942. At the end of July 1942 the regiment formed Quatcol to deal with air and sea landings in Egypt. Seven Crusaders arrived at the end of July 1942. On August 23rd, another composite regiment was formed using ‘A’ and ‘B’ Squadrons to form ‘A’ Squadron of the composite regiment along with squadrons of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomarny and 3rd Hussars. The first Shermans arrived by September 8th, 1942 so that by El Alamein the regiment was organised with ‘A’ Squadron in Crusaders, ‘B’ Squadron in Shermans and ‘C’ Squadron in Grants for a total of 14 Grants, 13 Shermans and 17 Crusaders. The 3rd and 4th tank in each SHQ was a Crusader.
    The 9th Armoured Brigade would be support by the 4th Field Regiment NZA while the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry would support the 5th New Zealand Brigade and the Warwickshire Yeomanry would support the 6th New Zealand Brigade. The third regiment of the brigade, the 3rd Hussars, would be in reserve. At 1900 hours on October 23rd the Warwickshire Yeomanry formed up behind the 24th New Zealand Infantry Battalion. On November 2nd, it was the only remaining regiment of the brigade in action with a total of 35 tanks. On November 4th it took over tanks from 3rd Hussars and the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry giving it a total of 14 Grants and Stuarts and 10 Crusader IIs. By the 7th, it was down to nineteen tanks. On November 10th, the Warwicks were attached to the 4th Light Armoured Brigade to continue the pursuit to El Agheila and continued forward with the brigade until the 12th, when it was sent back to the join the 9th Armoured Brigade. After the battle, the regiment remained in Egypt resting and refitting until December 29th, when it moved to Syria.
     
  3. DavidW

    DavidW Well-Known Member

    Thank you very much!
     

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