2nd Gloucs Hussars

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by DavidW, Sep 22, 2013.

  1. DavidW

    DavidW Well-Known Member

    Does anyone have details of the new replacement tanks received by 2GH in September/October 1942 please?
     
  2. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here is the period you are looking for:


    GHQ, Middle East Force – 18 July to 6 October 1942
    ‘G’ Squadron’s crews returned to Sidi Bishr on July 22nd joining the rest of the regiment. ‘H’ Squadron was ordered to join the 5th Royal Tank Regiment under 22nd Armoured Brigade as its Light Squadron on July 31st at Dir el Rigel. ‘H’ relieved ‘A’ Squadron 5th RTR on August 3rd at Dir el Tarfa and took over its Crusaders. On August 10th, ‘G’ Squadron took over 15 Crusaders from the 1st Armoured Brigade Tank Delivery Regiment at Amiriya and remained there as the 8th Army Reserve Squadron. ‘F’ Squadron took over the Grants of ‘C’ Squadron 5th RTR on August 17th. ‘G’ Squadron was ordered to move to XXX Corps under the 9th Australian Division on the 24th and arrived the next day in the divisional area. The squadron became part of the 9th Australian Division’s exploiting force during Operation ‘Bulimba’.
    On August 31st, the 5th Royal Tank Regiment (with ‘F’ and ‘H’ Squadrons) moved into battle positions at MR 4378805 B79 facing south and southeast as the left flank regiment of the 22nd Armoured Brigade at the start of the Battle of Alam el Halfa. While ‘F’ and ‘H’ fought at Alam el Halfa ridge, ‘G’ took part in Operation ‘Bulimba’. At Alam el Halfa, all of ‘F’ Squadron’s tanks were hit but continued to fight while ‘H’, down to 7 Crusaders with 3 CS Crusaders, patrolled. ‘A’ Squadron of the 5th Royal Tanks in Grants were also involved under the composite 5th RTR. ‘H’ Squadron was withdrawn into reserve at the end of September 1st with 6 tanks and were relieved by the Grants of the 3rd County of London Yeomanry. On September 4th, ‘G’ Squadron joined the 10th Armoured Division’s 10th Hussars as the Divisional Reserve while ‘H’ Squadron with the 22nd Armoured Brigade now had 8 tanks. ‘H’ gained 3 6-pounder Crusaders the next day and four more on September 6th. On the same day, ‘G’ Squadron arrived four miles north with 13 tanks. It joined the 5th RTR on the 10th but handed over all its 6-pounder Crusaders on the 11th. All tanks were then handed over and ‘H’ Squadron returned to Sidi Bishr on September 19th followed by ‘F’ and ‘G’ Squadrons the following day. From September 26th the regiment was quarantined due to an outbreak of diptheria.

    1st Armoured Brigade (Tank Reorganisation Group) – 6 October 1942 to 20 November 1942
    The regiment joined the group at Sidi Bishr on October 6th, 1942. One Grant was acquired on October 13th by ‘G’ Squadron to do some training. Similarly ‘H’ Squadron received one Crusader on the 14th and ‘F’ got a Sherman Mk IV on the 20th. The regiment came off quarantine on November 5th. ‘F’ and ‘G’ Squadrons were ordered to the forward area on November 13th but returned the same day back to Sidi Bishr.
     
  3. DavidW

    DavidW Well-Known Member

    Thank you David.
     

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