William Henry Wright | 7th Medium Regiment

The Battle of Sidi Barrani

On 6th November 1940, 27 Battery left Mersa Matruh to rejoin the rest of the Regiment at Nagamish and mobile training exercises were carried out.

10 Nov 1940 - 27/28 Bty. moved from MATRUH into a position on the seaward side of K.23. 6" Tp of 25 Bty. changed places with 60 pdr. Tp. of 27 Bty. thus making 25/26 Bty. with two 60 pdr. tps. and 27/28 Bty. with two 6" Tps.

A full scale Western Desert Force training exercise using live ammunition was carried out over three days from the 25th of November.

Map of positions for exercise attached.

 

1st Dec 1940 - Wadi El Qalalib, Commanding Officer and Battery Commanders carried out recce in forward areas.

On December 3rd, 27/28 Battery exchanged their old guns for 6 in. howitzers with pneumatic tyres and Propert sights.

3rd Dec 1940 - 27/28 Battery R.A. received 8 6" Howitzers with rubber tyres and "Propert" sights. The 8 6" Howitzers with Iron tyres were prepared for despatch to BOD Abbassia.

Soon after preparations were made to carry out W.D.F. Exercise No. 2 and the Regiment moved to Bir Idwan some 30 miles South West of Matruh. The following morning the G.O.C. 4th Indian Division, Major-General N. M. de la P. Beresford Peirse, D.S.O., addressed the R.A. officers of the Division and explained that the exercise would, in fact, not be an exercise at all. It was to be an active operation against the Italians established in fortified camps at Sidi Barrani, Nibeiwa, Tummar East, Tummar West and Point 90.

The attack was to be made by the 7th Armoured Division and 4th Indian Divisions, the objective being to drive the enemy back to the frontier. A Special Order of the day by the C-in-C was read out to all ranks and destroyed.

4th Dec 1940 - The C.R.A. 4th Indian Division informed the Commanding Officer that the W.D.F. Exercise No 2 for which the Regiment was standing by would in fact be active operations against the Italian Camps NEBEIWA, TUMAR EAST and TUMAR WEST. The C/.R.A. also indicated possible gun and O.P. Areas for the Regiment The Regiment was ordered to move on 6th December to a R.V. at Bir IDWAN (675322) The commanding Officer was ordered to take a recce party of not more than two trucks to the possible Gun and O.P. areas - BIR DAMEIM (600353) and the 120 ring countours (599354) and (600354) The Commanding Officer was also informed that if the attack on NEBEIWA CAMP was successful he would be responsible for the deployment of 1 Field Regiment 31 Field Regiment and 7 Medium Regiment for the attack on TUMMAR CAMPS the C.R.A. indicated the area WEST of ring contour 110 (599359) as a possible gun area with O.P. areas on the General Line Pt 104 (599361) - Pt 108 (596460)

All further leave from the Western Desert was cancelled and Officers identity papers were called in.

 

The 7th of December was a cold and windy day which saw the Regiment personally visited by the G.O.C. Western Desert Force Lieut-General R.N. O'Connor C.B. D.S.C. M.C. who addressed a number of the officers.

Richard O'Connor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The operations success depended on surprise. The 7th Armoured began the advance over undulating desert in open order. Troops had to cover 70 miles of open desert before making contact with the enemy.

The plan was to first attack the camp at Nibeiwa, known to contain an Italian armoured force commanded by General Maletti. This was to be achieved by an encircling movement from the west, after which attention would be given to the other camps in turn. An attack was also to be made upon the positions at Sidi Barrani by a column advancing along the coast from Mersa Matruh, supported by the guns of the fleet. Additional encircling movements would be made by armoured forces to the West in hope of rounding up all the enemy forces as far as the frontier.

In preperation for the attack the Regiment occupied positions three miles West of the Nebeiwa camp at Bir Dimeim.

8th Dec 1940 - Made preparations to support attack on NEBEIWA CAMP at first light.

Gun programmes were worked out to the accompaniment of a preliminary bombardment by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.

9th Dec 1940 - Opened Fire at 0715 hours on NEBEIWA - Enemy Shelling Battery Wagon Lines and Ammunition Group - No casualties.

At 07.30 hours the rest of the artillery joined in the attack, a total of one hundred and twenty four guns. The target was so close that it was possible to see the black clouds of shell bursts over the target from the gun positions. The barrage lasted for twenty minutes, after which the infantry went in, supported by Matilda Tanks of the 7th Bn. The Royal Tank Regiment.

The Italians were taken by complete surprise and were quickly overrun. Nebeiwa was soon reported captured and the regiment turned its attention to the North East and began to open fire on Tummar West at 12.30 hours. Initial Recce parties were Dive Bombed during their advance.

The destruction of the Maletti Group is described by Walker in Iron Hulls, Iron Hearts:

"The initial British assault would fall on Nibeiwa Camp, where the only available Italian armoured unit was based, and it achieved complete surprise. Raggruppamento Maletti, or Maletti Group, under General Maletti, was an ad hoc formation consisting of 2,500 Libyan soldiers and 2 Armoured Battalion, with thirty-five M11/39 medium tanks and thirty-five L3/35 light tanks. It was earmarked for early destruction in the assault, which commenced at 05:00hr with what appeared to be no more than another raid on the eastern side of the camp. At 07:00, however, forty-eight Matilda tanks suddenly appeared from the opposite side of the camp. They struck twenty-three unmanned M11/39 tanks of the Maletti Group, which had been deployed to guard the unmined entrance to the camp. The Italians were caught completely off guard and many did not even reach their tanks, including General Maletti, who was killed emerging from his dugout. They were slaughtered and their vehicles destroyed by the British in less than ten minutes. The Italian artillery fought on valiantly, firing on the Matildas and recording many hits, some at point-blank range - but none penetrated their 70 mm of armour. The remaining Italian tanks were captured intact, and the Libyan infantry, left practically defenceless, quickly surrendered. The British had captured Nibeiwa and destroyed the only front-line Italian armoured unit in less than five hours."

Tummar East and West soon fell with Point 90 proving more difficult, it was eventually taken the following morning.

10th Dec 1940 - Moved into new position for support of attack on SIDI BARRANI

 

10th Dec 1940 - Moved to new position for support of attack on SIDI BARRANI. - received call for urgent fire on EAST of enemy camp during advance - Regiment dispersed and Recce parties sent forward. Occupied new positions and opened fire on SIDI BARRANI. Gun positions Dive Bombed during this action. "B" Echelon arrived after not being seen since the evening of the eighth.
Ceased fire because of closeness of our own troops. Attack planned for 1600 hours - supported this attack.
Some doubt as to situation - stayed in same position for the night, making preparations to defend against possible attack of enemy.

Observation and survey was made difficult for the Regiment by severe dust storms so the main attack was delayed until later in the day. The Italian Air Force made a belated appearance during the attack and proceeded to bomb the rapidly growing columns of Italian Prisoners that were quickly becoming a feature of the battle. Night soon came and all was quiet. It wasn't until the morning that the regiment would discover that the infantry attack had been a success. In addition to this a successful push was made by the 7th Armoured Division in the West which captured virtually an entire Italian Division, intended to support in the battle.

11th Dec 1940 - attack on SIDI BARRANI reported successful. Moved to new position in area ALAM EL DAB.
Observed shooting all day. - Observation difficult owing to severe Dust Storms. Whole area full of Italian prisoners - many wounded, commandeered several Italian vehicles and made good use of captured petrol dumps/ "B" Echelon arrived with supplies. Received orders to move to bivouac area at c 615 about 1500 hours. Regiment moved and bivouaced for the night.

As the War Diary extract above mentions, Captain Bray managed to single handedly capture an entire battery of 75mm guns, complete with battery commander and gunners. Another officer discovered a battery office with all pay laid out on the table awaiting issue.

7th Medium Regiment moved south to attack the camp at Sofafi and soon discovered the camp to be deserted. The Battle of Sidi Barrani was over.

The battle had cost the Italians 38,000 men captured, 400 guns and 50 tanks. British losses were 133 killed, 387 wounded and 8 missing.

British Movietone News Reel - Capture of Sidi Barrani

 

Bardia to Benghasi

Following the battle of Sidi Barrani, the regiment returned to welcome dugouts that were left earlier on the 6th at Naghamish. After a day spent overhauling equipment, 27/28 Battery was ordered up to the front again. 25/26 Battery were greatly immobilised by a shortage of vehicles and a number of 60pdr Guns with cracked trail eyes.

By the 20th of December the Regiment was in action in the area of Musaid, an old Turkish fort. 'A' Troop of 25/26 Battery was called upon once they had gathered enough spare gun wheels, leaving 'B' Troop to return to Cairo. The Battery engaged in daily harassment of the enemy which were surrounded in the fortress of Bardia, Musollini having ordered them to resist to the last man and the last round.

24th Dec 1940 - "Christmas Eve - Very cold"

25th Dec 1940 - "Christmas Day. Position shelled during the evening by enemy 105mm Guns in retaliation to our own counter preparation tasks.

The 6th Australian Division had been sent forward to replace the Indian 4th Division as the C-in-C ordered a general pursuit of the enemy with the intention of driving them out of Cyrenacia completely.

27th Dec 1940 - "An enemy bomber believed to have been hit by our A.A. Fire was seen to come down and burst into flames.
Water ration limited to 1 gallon per man for all purposes including filling of radiators.

30th Dec 1940 - Dumping of ammunition in BEL CHANFUS area 50453952 began in preparation for the battle of BARDIA.

Reconnaissance was made in preparation for the attack on Bardia, positions were prepared and ammunition was dumped and concealed. The Regimental group for this battle consisted of 27/28 Battery, 'A' Troop 25/26 Battery, 234 Medium Battery and 'F' Battery 4th R.H.A. The total number of guns was one hundred and twenty-two with twenty-six infantry tanks against an enemy estimated to be 45,000 strong.

31st Dec 1940 - Royal Air Force bombed BARDIA at 1307 hours.

3 Jan 1941 - Battle of Bardia - Zero hour for artillery barrage at 0530.
Regt in support of 6th Aust Div.
One 6" How of 27/28 Med Bty reported out of action during barrage.
27/28 Med Bty moved forward at 0930 hrs to position East of Bardia defences.
At 0750 234 Med Bty reported hundreds of prisoners had been taken.

Support for the attack had been strengthened by three battleships of the fleet. The Regiment had fired 180 rounds per gun during the initial barrage and the 60pdr barrels turned almost black. The infantry had made quick progress and on the same morning 27/28 Battery had been able to to advance right inside the defences by the following day. 'A' Troop 25/26 Battery remained north of Capuzzo and answered air calls. This was highly successful, as an Australian witness afterwards described how a small enemy battery which had been holding up the infantry was demolished following an air shoot by 'A' Troop.

Very soon, long columns of Italian prisoners could be seen making their way towards cages guarded by merely a handful of Australian troops, often marshalled by their own officers to surrender.

Bardia Captured - Movietone News Reel

The only casualties suffered by the Regiment when 27/28 Battery wagon lines were bombed by Savoias.

4th Jan 1941 - Large force of enemy aircraft bombed 27/28 Med Bty Wagon Lines - 4 O.R's Killed, 7 O.R's injured. - 8 gun towers damaged.

Most of Bardia was in British hands by the evening of the 4th but wasn't completely taken until noon on the 5th. Apart from prisoners, over 460 guns and 120 tanks were captured.

The most valuable prize however, was an extremely accurate large scale plan of all enemy gun positions and zones for fire for the fortress of Tobruk.

 

Thanks to the mods for sticking this post up and for rating the thread! Back after a short break so I will carry on now as we head into Tobruk.

 

By the time Bardia had fallen, 'A' Troop 25/26 had been reduced to only two guns, two of them with cracked Trails. A Section of the Regiment moved forward to Tobruk on the 7th of January. Guns were put to use immediately against the eastern perimeter of the fortress on cliffs above the sea.

The Italian cruiser "San Giorgio" was lying half sunk in the harbour at Tobruk and was being used as an A/A platform. It was decided that 234 Battery would engage the cruiser from long range. This proved successful, with several shells striking home.

19th Jan 1941 - Regt moved into posns (area 41404130) south of Tobruch in preparation for the Battle of Tobruch. - move carried out at night.

With the arrival of 211 Battery 64th Medium Regiment, the number of guns available for the assault on Tobruk was one hundred and sixty-six. At 06.30 hours on January 21st the barrage commenced in support of an infantry attack by the 6th Australian Division alongside a small number of tanks of the 7th Bn. R.T.R.

It was half an hour before a gap had been forced in the Italian defences, allowing the Regiment to move into the perimeter. During the morning, an armoured O.P. truck belonging to 27/28 Battery struck an enemy land mine. Three men were seriously injured in the incident, including 2/Lieut. B. M. Butcher. By nightfall the Regiment was still holding out and observed large fires burning in the Tobruk harbour area.

21st Jan 1941 - Battle of Tobruch - Regt supported attack of 6 Aust Div.
2/Lt. B.M. Butcher R.A. of 27/28 Med Bty sustained injuries from enemy land mine and was evacuate to hospital.
Btys and RHQ advanced about mid-day.
Large fires during night in Tobruch.
1 O.R. posted to X list II.

The following morning saw the end of all resistance with the capture of 30,000 Italian prisoners, 236 guns and 87 tanks.

Capture of Tobruk 1941 British Movietone news.

22 Jan 1941 - Battle of Tobruch over.
Regt moved to bivouac area near Tobruch, and settled down for a few days rest.

23rd Jan 1941 - Day of maintenance. Change of clothes for personnel - no limit on water supply.

 

I thought those who have been following my post here might like to know about a bit of an additional narrative that has developed following my research into the story of 7 Medium and my Grandfathers wartime experiences.

As you can see earlier in the thread, Sheldrake contacted me here and kindly put me in touch with a gentleman who was a GPO with the Regiment at Normandy. We have been speaking by phone and he has been helping me answer lots of questions and has provided an extraordinary amount of information on 7 Med.

He told me that he was at Normandy with a Captain Peter Langrishe, who he knew was with 25/26 Battery through North Africa, Greece and Crete. Peter features regularly in the Regimental war diary, in fact my next post (or two) will likely show 2/Lt. Langrishe moving from RHQ to 25/26 shortly after the battle of Tobruk, before 25/26 is moved to Greece.

Unfortunately we discovered that Mr Langrishe had sadly passed away recently.

In trying to help me contact Mr Langrishe, the Normandy GPO has arranged to meet Mrs Langrishe. He has asked me to come along and if I would like look at Peter Langrishe's memoirs which she will be bringing with her.

A few months ago nobody in my family knew much at all about my Grandfathers service. We didn't know what Regiment he belonged to, or where he served. In a few weeks I will be meeting the wife of someone he fought with, and likely knew, and will have the opportunity to read a first hand account of his war, one that I am sure is close to my Grandfathers.

I just wanted to say thanks to Sheldrake for contacting me and allowing me to open up some doors. I'm really looking forward to the meeting ahead and if people are interested, I will post an update on this here. Hopefully I can include some of Captain Langrishe's story, so if anyone is following along keep an eye out for his name as I post on 25/26 heading to Greece soon.

Ash

 

This is a very interesting thread, Ash. Later in its history 7th Medium was closely affiliated with the 50th Division, supporting the division at Gazala, in Sicily, and in Normandy. One battery of the 7th was lost with 150th Brigade at Gazala in June of 1942.

By the way, Captain Langrishe wrote a very useful history of the unit.

 

This is a very interesting thread, Ash. Later in its history 7th Medium was closely affiliated with the 50th Division, supporting the division at Gazala, in Sicily, and in Normandy. One battery of the 7th was lost with 150th Brigade at Gazala in June of 1942.

By the way, Captain Langrishe wrote a very useful history of the unit.

Thank you TTH! Glad to hear you're enjoying it. Posting this is helping me structure and digest all of my research.

My understanding is that 25/26 was lost in 42, with most of the personnel being taken prisoner, could this be the same incident you mention? My Grandfather however, appears to be posted onto the X list after this date and then sent back to the UK where he is then attached to 107 Medium Regiment in NWE following D-Day. Hopefully, as I proceed with my research I will find out exactly what happened to my Grandfather at that point. He was with 25/26, but somehow appears to have remained in service after the loss of his Battery.

I believe the unit history that you mention is "The history of the 7th Medium Regiment Royal Artillery during WWII", Captain Langrishe is down as one of the authors I believe. Is this the case?

Ash

 

Following the capture of Tobruk, the Regiment moved West to Derna and eventually through greener countryside to the town of Giovanni Berta. After an equipment overhaul, including the return of some 60 prs. to Cairo, the Regiment moved along the main road toward Slonta.

6th Feb 1941 - 1 O.R. posted to R.H.Q., 5 O.Rs posted to 25/26 Med Bty, 5 O.Rs posted to 27/28 Med Bty. Regt moved to bivouac area at Tecnis, bivouaced for the night and planned to move to East of El Abiar next morning.

7th Feb 1941 - Move to bivouac area East of El Abiar cancelled. RHQ and 234 Med Bty urgently required in Ghemines area to support infantry. Breakfast at 0400 hrs - on the road at 0730 hrs - great difficulty in progress owing to heavy rain all day. Guns arrived in Ghemines area about 2000 hrs.
27/28 Med Bty and 'B' Ech remained at Tecnis.

234 Battery were marched to Ghemines to assist the 7 Armoured there, but discovered the battle had been won before their arrival. Back at Technis, 7 Medium were assisting the 6th Australian Division with some difficulties getting vehicles through a muddy track. 27/28 Battery used their Scammels to help pull vehicles out of their predicament.

The Regiment then took the opportunity to clean themselves and rest during a period of downtime. RHQ found itself based at Benghasi Zoo and unfortunately the only surviving animals, the wolves had to be killed as they had no food. Many troops took the chance to visit the ancient ruins around Cyrene.

On the 15th of February the Regiment began its long trek back to Cairo, a journey of 800 miles. Stops were made on route at Derna, Tobruk and Mersa Matruh. 234 Battery left for Mena and came under the command of 68 Medium Regiment.

25th Feb 1941 - Regt arrived in Cairo after 10 days travel - RHQ and 27/28 Med Bty to Base Depot R.A. Camp at Almaza, 234 Bty to Mena. 234 Med Bty came under command of 68 Med Regt R.A.

Whilst in Cairo the Regiment were informed of their first awards for the desert campaign.

Lieut.-Colonel J. H. Frowen. awarded D.S.O.
Capts A. E. Bray, G. E. Doe, G. Sharratt. awarded M.C.

 

1st March 1941 - Complete check of all equipment.
8 6" Howitzers of 27/28 Medium Batty R.A. handed over to 234th Medium Battery R.A. -
8 4.5" Guns of 234th Medium Battery R.A. handed over to 25/26 Medium Battery R.A.

14th March 1941 - Severe Dust Storm all day - L.A.D. wrk impossible - routine work difficult.
4 driver mechs posted from 25/26 Medium Battery R.A. to 27/28 Medium Battery R.A.

23rd March 1941 - National Day of prayer by order of His Majesty The King.

24th March 1941 - Regiment issued with 6 New Ford 30 cwts - promised another 18 on the night of the 25th - all Merris 30 cwt lorries to be handed in.

25th March 1941 - Regiment issued with 9 Ford cwt lorries. Preperation for move of Regiment (less 27/28th Medium Battery R.A. left behind at Almaza to re-equip and join Regiment on some later date.) Regiment bivouaced for the night at Wadi-Natrun after preparations to move at 0800 hours next morning - Drinks at the Rest House.

So with orders for 25/26 Battery to move to Amiriya, rumours as to what the next destination would be varied from Singapore to the United Kingdom. All were wrong.

27/28 Battery would be left behind to re-equip and would join the Regiment at a later date.

 

Greece and Crete

27th March 1941 - Regiment equipped with 8 4.5" Guns 74 vehicles and 15 motor cycles.
Regiment moved to Amriya - Distance of 62 miles - arrived about 1300 hours. Commanding Officer and Second in Command attended conference at 1400 hours. B.C's conference in the evening.
Troops accommodated in tents - wooden huts for use as cookhouses and messes.

28th March 1941 - Regiment issued with 15 New Motor Cycles - 1 3 ton lorry evacuated, and arrangements made to make good the deficiency. Officers and men allowed to proceed to Alexandria for the evening. Preparation to move Guns and vehicles to the marshalling area on 29th. 2 30cwt lorries arrived from Almaza - loaned to the Regiment from 27/28 Medium Battery R.A. as all transport was due to be shipped.

29th March 1941 - Regiment issued with 3 3 ton Chevrolets - 2 3 ton A.E.C's evacuated. Guns and vehicles moved to marshalling area at Amriya - guns and Heavy vehicles to Alexandria Docks same day - Light vehicles bivouaced for the night at Amriya. Remaining personnel camped at Amriya. 2 surplus M/C's evacuated.

The S.S. "Cingalese Prince" received Guns and Vehicles at Alexandria and personnel were loaded onto the S.S. "Cameronia"

Just prior to departure, the fleet returned to harbour shortly after the victory over the Italians at Cape Matapan. They were greeted by the sound of sirens signalling a welcome from those in the harbour.

The personnel of 25/26 Battery had a fairly pleasant crossing to Greece but the M.T. convoy was attacked by German and Italian aircraft. German attacks succeeded in setting fire to the "Ulster Prince". The crew managed to get the fire under control but another attack proved disastrous and she was sunk after a terrific explosion.

On the 4th of April at 1000 hours the convoy docked at Piraeus.

 

hinwe are researching my Wife’s father and wondered how you obtained your grandfathers service record?

 

Hi James

Go to this link Request records of deceased service personnel, and away you go

TD