65 pages of 46 Bn. ROYAL TANK REGIMENT( FROM 1 JUNE- 30 JUNE 44).

Discussion in 'Italy' started by Stuart Avery, Aug 16, 2022.

  1. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Some background on 23rd Armd Bde's activities after North Africa. 23rd Armd Bde consisted of 40 RTR, 46 RTR and 50 RTR..

    Extracted from Valentines in North Africa 42-43 by Bran Perrett

    Subsequent History of 23rd Armoured Brigade


    The following is an extract from a Brief History of 23rd Armoured Brigade, a small pamphlet long since out of print, and, to my knowledge, the only complete record of this famous formation’s operations.


    Sicily July 10,1943

    Whilst the success of the British forces in AFRICA was still echoing round the world, General Montgomery, with his 8th Army, struck again on July 10, 1943, landing in SICILY. The 23rd Armoured Brigade was in the forefront. This time 50th RTR with a squadron of 46th RTR supported 51st Highland Division in the assault landing. Regimental headquarters and the remaining squadrons of 46th RTR joined the Brigade as soon as transport was available to SICILY, and these two armoured regiments proceeded to take their full part in the difficult and bitter fighting in SICILY.

    At the end of the Sicilian Campaign, Brigadier G. W. Richards handed over the Brigade to Brigadier R. Η. B. Arkwright, who commanded until the end of the war.


    Salerno Sept. 9,1943

    40th RTR at this period, were concentrating in NORTH AFRICA, retraining and re-fitting with Sherman tanks in preparation for the SALERNO landing. On the 9th September, 23rd Armoured Brigade, which then consisted of 40th RTR and the “Greys”, took part in the assault on the mainland of ITALY at SALERNO. These two regiments supported 46th Division, 56th Division and 201 Guards Brigade. In the meantime, 46th and 50th RTR had temporarily joined 4th Armoured Brigade and with the 8th Army they had crossed the MESSINA STRAITS and landed in ITALY, They continued to advance with the 8th Army and were engaged in fighting at SAN SALVO with 78th Division in November, and they continued Northwards until reaching the SANGRO River where 50th RTR were engaged in some very bitter and heavy fighting in that area, their Commanding Officer being killed.


    Naples Oct. 1,1943

    To return to the west coast of ITALY, the 23rd Armoured Brigade fought with the Infantry in the break-out from the SALERNO bridgehead and in the forcing of the VIETRI Gap. They also carried out the advance on to the NAPLES plain and the capture of the SORRENTO Peninsular which was effected by the “Greys” with Americans. The 23rd Armoured Brigade, (40th RTR) plus Americans were first into NAPLES and they continued throughout that extremely wet and cold winter fighting in the mountains and on the banks of the VOLTURNO. The crossing of the river followed, which, at that period the Italians considered to be an insuperable obstacle. They continued to advance along the famous APPIAN WAY towards ROME. During this period 46th and 50th RTR rejoined the Brigade from the 8th Army and the “Greys” left us, much to our regret. They were a fine fighting regiment.


    That Autumn (1943) consisted of mountain climbing in tanks, to assist 46th Division, 56th Division, 210 Guards Brigade and 5th Division. The GARAGLIANO River was crossed by the 40th RTR about January 19, 1944, in support of 56th Division, 46th Division and 5th Division. The fighting was bitter and the Infantry suffered very severe casualties which prevented them from joining up with the British 1st Division at ANZIO where 46th RTR had landed. It is not necessary here to describe the ficrcc fighting that took place at ANZIO.


    Rome June 4, 1944

    The Brigade, when the break-out finally came was well represented, 46th RTR being the first tanks over the TIBER River and that regiment was actually in ROME on June 4,1944.


    Return to M.E.F.

    Shortly after this, 23rd Armoured Brigade was withdrawn to the MIDDLE EAST to recuperate and re-train, exactly two years after they had arrived in EGYPT. It would appear safe to say that no Armoured formation, even in the 8th Army, had been more constantly engaged, or had fought with more Infantry Divisions during that period.

    Fighting with Infantry is very exacting as it means that the tanks are always in the forward areas getting little rest by day and mostly moving by night.


    Greece 1944

    After intensive training in the MIDDLE EAST, the 23rd Armoured Brigade sailed for GREECE in October, 1944 and in the early days of the Greek Civil War it bore the brunt and horrors of that unpleasant period alone.

    In May 1946 the Brigade was placed in suspended animation, but was reconstituted in 1947 when the Territorial Army was reactivated in the outbreak of the Cold War.

    Of the original regiments, only 40th RTR remained, as the 46th and 50th were never reformed. The newcomers were 41st RTR, Staffordshire Yeomanry, and Cheshire Yeomanry.

    The 40th contained many veterans of the war years, who maintained strictly professional standards, never forgetting that they were “Monty’s Foxhounds”. These standards were passed on to the already trained ex- National Servicemen who volunteered for service in the regiment on leaving the regular army, and in consequence all went well for several years.

    However, the political memory is short, and the government’s economy axe was already at work in the late 1950s. The Brigade was finally disbanded and the 40th forced into a marriage with 41 RTR. 'I'his meant that half the experienced officers, NCOs and men from each unit had to resign, the combined unit was now stretched across a county instead of being concentrated, and finally that the permanent staff of regular army instructors, upon whom the regiment would rely to keep its technical knowledge up to date, was cut below the levels of adequacy.

    40/41 RTR, was however, the only remaining Royal Tank Regiment in the Territorial Army, itself a testimony to its efficiency, and was given the role of providing several hundred trained crewmen for the reinforcement of Rhine Army in an emergency. In spite of the end of conscription, this role was more than fulfilled, and the regiment could always boast more Ever Ready Reservists (officers and soldiers who made themselves available for immediate recall to the colours) than any other regiment in the Royal Armoured Corps, TA. In fact the last shots in the regiment’s history were fired in May 1964 by dissident Radfhan tribesmen at a group of Ever Readies temporarily attached to 4th Royal Tank Regiment.

    The Regiment’s Headquarters were latterly situated in Huyton, the constituency of the then Prime Minister, Harold Wilson. This did not prevent its disbandment in 1967 as a sop to the Left. By an ironic twist of fate Mr Wilson heard the news of his election defeat in 1970 in what had once been the officers’ mess, the same room in which many officers had heard that there was no further requirement for their services.

    Hope this helps

    Gus
     
    dbf and Stuart Avery like this.
  2. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    For all those that are following this thread. Here are the pages 3-4 Feb of the 46 Royal Liverpool Welsh Tank Regiment. Plus some rather good sketch maps that appear in the 1 London Scottish (of all War diaries). I say that because I've never seen them in any other Regiment within either 24, 2, or 3 Infantry Brigade. Don't even think they are 2 HQ Infantry Brigade diaries. I would need to check.

    I've included some pages from CAB 146-50 EDS THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN: Jan-Mar 44. Chapter 4 The Situation in the Field in Feb 44. Another diary of which I've only just got around to reading of which I need to thank Tom O'Brien for sending it on (probably some time in 2019). Have you got Chapter 3, and 5? I think this CAB file is rather good on detail. In my opinion, Major F.A. Rycroft (only 30 years of age) who died of his wounds M.C., D.C.M.,M.M. should of been awarded a bar to one of these three medals. See page 56, or page (2). I did want to upload another map, but was unable to do so. For some reason it will not do it being above 2mb. I was informed that once you have uploaded the file, its then resized automatically. I will have to resize it and come back with it. I can't way that one up. May have something to do with its pixels?

    I've only managed to find out which prison camps three of the missing ended up in. See page 59. I think I may need some help with the rest. I've a idea where they ended up, but not sure how to find out, or check a certain website. Hope they are not on one of the missing men panels in the Cassino Cemetery?

    Will come back with the sketch maps later has I just need to check some dates on them.

    Regards,
    Stu.
    46_RTR_Feb_44_0034.JPG
    46_RTR_Feb_44_0035.JPG
    46_RTR_Feb_44_0039.JPG
    46_RTR_Feb_44_0040.JPG
    46_RTR_Feb_44_0055.JPG
    46_RTR_Feb_44_0056.JPG
    All the M.R. Nos (Map Reference) can be seen on the map that follows. Most
    of the references are with in roughly 250 to 500 yards. North, South, East, and West.
    I've shown in green (878355) cross-fire from the Germans from the East. 71 Inf Division.
    On the map THE REDUCTION OF THE SALIENT 2-4 FEB from the First Division
    History: Its 104 P.G. REGT. 3/4 Feb. Will show that map later with the sketch maps.
    46_RTR_Feb_44_0057.JPG
    46_RTR_Feb_44_0058.JPG
    Can anyone tell me how many tanks would be in any Sqn going in to battle? In red
    it should read the C.O. of the 1 London Scottish.:oops:.
    19.ARDEA (6).jpg
    19.ARDEA.jpg

    Here is where I would I've liked to have shown a more detailed map of the one above. Here is the page that I need some help on..
    46_RTR_Feb_44_0059.JPG
    I was sent the WO file on the PRISONERS OF WAR BRITISH ARMY 39-45 by forum member Janet a few years ago. Nice lady.
    Since then I've managed to buy a book (a reprint of that file). It was rather cheap in mint condition, and quicker to find a name.:)
    CAB146-50 002.JPG
    CAB146-50 021.JPG
    CAB146-50 022.JPG
    CAB146-50 023.JPG
    CAB146-50 024.JPG
    The 71 Inf Div's casualties show that they got there arse kicked between 2-3 Feb. 92 dead,
    262 wounded, and [331 missing]. That's more than the 6 GORDONS. Blimey. Not many left.
    CAB146-50 025.JPG
    CAB146-50 026.JPG
    CAB146-50 027.JPG

    More to follow in time.

    Edit. This is not a dig at the forum, or any of the Mods. Can we not get rid of thumbnail option in showing files? A pain. Its probably saving some kind of space.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Sep 1, 2022
  3. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    [​IMG]
    Liverpool Echo 22 February 1946
     
  4. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    upload_2022-9-1_20-56-52.png

    Liverpool Echo 22 February 1946
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2022
  5. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Here are the only two chaps of this Regiment that are on the CASSINO MEMORIAL Panel 1. One for the 4 Feb, and the other which says the 11 Feb, even though its says Killed in Action for the both of them. Roberton being the 4 Feb, and Hutchinson the 8 Feb. I'm still stuck has which P.O.W. camps the others ended up in. X means I've not been able locate which camp they ended up in.

    I thought the book and the file was the only list of P.O.W. camps that the Germans had when it came to the Italian Campaign? Looks has if I'm missing something here? How, I don't know.

    Thanks to a forum member who talked me through the website to find the names of these two chaps. I would of been there all day with out his guidance. Two minutes of a job. A piece of cake when you know what to click-on;)

    Regards,
    Stu

    46_RTR_Feb_44_0059.JPG .
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2022

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