I have used the search function but have come up empty. Does anyone know the TO&E of the 161st Anti-Tank 17Pdr Squadron? Did they have the M10 or towed 17pdr in June 44?
We'll need a bit more info on this one. Is 161 the Regiment or the Battery you are interested in? 17-pdr Squadron is not a term that I've seen used for RA units. I've also had a quick look for 161 Atk Regiment in Orders of Battle and there isn't one listed; can you provide a bit of background as to where the unit fitted in, was it Divisional or Corps, for example? Gary
Gary, It is listed as a Battery in the order of battle of the 15th Scottish Inf Div. for Op Epsom. They had troops attached to brigades. they do not appear to be from the 15th div, but attached for the operation. I am ignorant on how the Anti-Tank was reorganized etc. I do know they had M10s in support for Epsom but what unit etc. is unknown. Edit**** it is listed in the Brigade movement order as "ONE 17-pdr Tp -161 A Tk Bty"
Right, Btys are a bit harder to place than Regts, however we know that 15 (S) Div had 97 Atk Regiment as its own atk unit. For Normandy you're looking at four types of Atk Regt in British and Canadian formations. Infantry Division - four Btys, each two Tps of towed 17-prs and one Tp of towed 6-pr guns. All Tps had four of the relevant type of gun. Assault Divs (the three D-Day landing Divs) - four Btys, each two Tps of towed 6-prs and one Tp of SP M10s. All four guns per Tp. Armoured Division - two Btys, each three Tps of towed 17-prs and two Btys, each three Tps of SP M10s. All four guns per Tp. Corps Anti-tank Regt - as for Armd Divs, but tracked towing vehicles for their 17-prs. If 161 Bty was part of 97 Atk Regt, they'd have all towed guns, 8x 17-prs and 4x 6-prs, so we need to clarify that. Gary
Gary, Ok yes they were part of 97 Regt. 159 and 161 Bty. Just found it in the War diary. So they would of had 4 x twd 17pdr according to the Infantry div TO&E you posted.
Each Battery in the Regiment would have had the same organisation, with two Troops of towed 17-pr guns (four guns in each Troop), and one towed Troop of 6-pr guns (four guns). AoS and vehicle markings are not my area I'm afraid, but I'd expect they would follow the standard format for a Div Atk Regt. Gary
