Major E D L Whatley left 67th Field Regiment to join 165 (Jeep) Field Regt RA in April 1944. I have checked the Home - The Royal Artillery 1939-45 website but there are minimal details (No mention of Jeep). Does anyone know anything about them or what became of the Members when it was disbanded. He became a Lt Col Commanding 267 SP Regiment in 1951.
I suspect you are actually looking for 165 (Jungle) Field Regiment RA, I have never hea4d of a Jeep Field Regt.
Quite possibly Jungle, there are a lot of spelling mistakes in the source document. Doug Whatley was a very well respected Battery Commander within the Regiment and after the war became OC of 267 SP Regt a post war designation of the 67th. He left to take up an appointment as 2 i/c of the 165th, a step up the promotion ladder. I am trying to find out where he went as DB has a 165 Field Regt on his Royal Artillery site but it disbanded in December 1944. I thought if anyone might have War Diaries or knowledge of either Regiment it might be possible to check the Officer Monthly Returns. I think I might be pushing my luck but I have had some spectacular results lately. The more enquiries made on the forum the wider the database and potential for interest from visitors, someone else might be looking for the 165th Field Regt in the future as it seems to have actually existed.
Thanks Owen, it makes some sense, Doug Whatley was a solicitor from Malvern and an original member of the 67th Field. Also in the Regiment was Malcolm Harding Roberts (now Lt Col Harding Roberts (Retd) the sole surviving member of the Regt aged 100 years) He transferred to Airborne but returned post war to command the 67th Worcs and Warks Medium Regt RA (TA). Previously 267 SP Regt RA (TA) later 267 Field Regt RA (TA). Would you know if 165 Field Regt had any affiliations with the 53rd Worcs Air Landing Regt. Worcester is a hotbed of Military units with the Worcester Regt, 67th Field Regt RA (TA), 119th Field Regt, 53rd Worcs Yeomanry Anti Tank becoming 53rd (Worcestershire Yeomanry) Air Landing Light Regt.
Seems it's not a spelling mistake! See also: War Diary of 64 Field Battery (Jeep Artillery) R.A. Were guns towed by jeeps?
Yes they were. Following First Arakan, each division had one of its artillery regiments re-equipped as a jungle field regiment. The equipment of that unit was two batteries of 8 jeep-towed 3.7in howitzer and a third battery with 16x3" mortars.
Thanks for this. The impossible is done at once miracles take a little longer. Doug Whatley was reported to have joined them as 2 i/c which if we look at his previous Regiment 67th Field Regt he would still be a Major but his duties would have been Reconnaissance, locating sites for the Regiment within range of the enemy. For this 67th deployed a Recce Jeep with Driver, Regimental 2/ic and Radio operator plus one CPO (Command Post Officer). A second Jeep would hold Driver/surveyor, Survey Officer and two CPO's making three CPO's one for each Battery. The party would then choose a site and begin preliminary surveys to ensure that it was clear of mines and had a clear field of fire, whilst the Regiment advanced to the position. I dont know what the airborne guys did but I would expect to see Major Whatley either with HQ staff or out in front doing the Recce. Do you or does anyone know what the AB guys did. Where might we Find him. Having just read Glider Pilots in Sicily and Nothing is Impossible it was all rather hit and miss with guns or troops sorting themselves out upon landing. Someone would however have to eventually take over to get all the guns firing on target to produce effective concentrated fire. Not an easy task if the Regiment is scattered. Just having a quick scan of the accompanying War Diary it seems that they were having difficulty co ordinating their fire. Lone guns are ok for selected targets but a concentration is really desirable to breakup enemy attacks or to soften them up for an assault. Doug Whatley was a very capable Battery Commander with experience from fighting with the BEF (they defended the beaches to their last round) fighting in Tunisia around Medjezel Bab and Anzio where the 67th went ashore in amphibious DUKW's to support the assault troops of 2 Infantry Brigade. I will spend the evening perusing the attached to understand their methods. Many Thanks Richard
The Development of Artillery Tactics and Equipment may well be referring to 165 (J) Fd Regt here: As 10 Ind Div lacks a full history, and 165 Fd don't leap out in Teheran to Trieste or get a mention in: https://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/5632/1/Kavanagh15MA.pdf the only other easily available source to follow-up the lead is probably HMSO's The Tiger Triumphs.
Thanks Idler would this be it or are you talking of something different. The Tiger Triumphs - The Story Of Three Great Divisions In Italy [Illustrated Edition] Kindle Edition by Lieut Col G R Stevens (Author)
Actually, I have been a bit of a dick. There are, of course, the British and Indian official histories to look at as well. I might not get round to those tonight, though.
Post #7refers to activity in southern France a little confusing as Ewen is talking of the Burma Campaign and Idler of Indian Troops in Italy. Never the less I will take a further look at the recommended book as it is not expensive on Kindle. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
Thanks Owen, took a quick look and will go back to it. I am getting info coming in fast. Every time I check a link something else has arrived. Mind you I am not moaning. Trouble is my wife has decided to open a bottle of Champaign that she had for her 70th birthday last month. We have been waiting for the family to come over but given up. Its my birthday next week so we are clearing the decks.
I suspect, although it is only my opinion, that Jeep Arty was an unofficial name adopted for Jungle Field Regts, possibly only by 165, as I haven’t seen it used elsewhere.
I must admit I was surprised as I thought that he had gone to a Light Anti Aircraft Regiment. I just happened to find it in my files. It definitely states 165 (Jeep) Field Regt which I never related to airborne. However they must have existed as Richard Lewis has found them but apparently in France which I presume was something to do with Operation Dragoon (something else to look up now!
I think that 64th Airlanding Light Battery, RA is referring to Mission Dove or its associates. Mission Dove - Wikipedia A complete surprise as I was not aware of this action. Having recently read Glider Pilots in Sicily etc. I thought I was done with WW2 but cant seem to break away from it.