60 (RWF) Anti-Tank Regiment was detached from 53rd Welsh Division on 13 October 1939 & sent to Aldershot to reform into 101 LAA & AT Regt (there's a mouthful), an experimental regiment within 1st Armoured Division.
In theory 60 AT Regt had four batteries... /2
In theory 60 AT Regt had four batteries... /2
each of three troops armed with four 2 Pounder anti-tank guns.
As was the case for the majority of TA units, new kit was slow to arrive and there were only a couple of examples on hand for training.
The 2 Pdr was a nifty piece of kit for 38-40. /3
As was the case for the majority of TA units, new kit was slow to arrive and there were only a couple of examples on hand for training.
The 2 Pdr was a nifty piece of kit for 38-40. /3
Able to be quickly deployed and equipped with a semi-automatic breach that allowed up to 22 RPM to be achieved, with a muzzle velocity of 2,650 FPS and allowed for 42mm of armoured pen at 1,000 yards. All on a stable 3 legged mounting capable of 360 degrees of fire. /4
The large gun-shield provided good protection for the crew but created a fairly high profile weapon... which could draw unwanted attention in action.
5th Bn Royal Welch Fusiliers had converted to become 60 (RWF) AT Regt back in Nov 1938 as part of the War Office's...
5th Bn Royal Welch Fusiliers had converted to become 60 (RWF) AT Regt back in Nov 1938 as part of the War Office's...
new 1938 model infantry division, that sought to slim down the four bn brigades to three bns and better balance formations for modern mobile warfare.
60 ATR had enjoyed a few weapons to practice on since 1938 and were relatively familiar with the 2 Pounder by 1939. /5
60 ATR had enjoyed a few weapons to practice on since 1938 and were relatively familiar with the 2 Pounder by 1939. /5
The shift to become 101 LAA & AT Regt saw a series of major organisational changes. 237 and 239 Batteries would each have twelve 2 Pounders while 32 and 44 Batteries would have 40mm Bofors... but no Bofors guns were issued before they went to France. /6
As a result 43 and 44 Batteries were armed with 36 Lewis guns instead, and effectively reduced to act as motorised infantry.
So 1st Armoured Division now had an LAA & AT Regt, but lacked the core LAA component. /7
So 1st Armoured Division now had an LAA & AT Regt, but lacked the core LAA component. /7
They arrived in Le Harve on 20 May, intending to support 1st Armoured, under Major L.H.H. Payne's command - to find themselves guarding the Seine crossings near Rouen: parcelled out as needed under 1st Armoured's Support Group... /8
43 and 44 Batteries acted as infantry supporting 237 and 239 Batteries.
On 26 May, 2/Lt Brian MacGillycuddy became the Regt's first reported fatality and 2/Lt Martin was taken prisoner along with 6 ORs.
They were avenged the next day when 43 Battery downed a Dornier... /9
On 26 May, 2/Lt Brian MacGillycuddy became the Regt's first reported fatality and 2/Lt Martin was taken prisoner along with 6 ORs.
They were avenged the next day when 43 Battery downed a Dornier... /9
near Nallviliers with one of their near-obsolete Lewis guns in a remarkable blaze of gunnery.
Given the fairly static defensive engagement Payne lacked wider control, but heard on 1 June that eleven Bofors had just landed in Cherbourg. They were quickly picked up & issued... /10
Given the fairly static defensive engagement Payne lacked wider control, but heard on 1 June that eleven Bofors had just landed in Cherbourg. They were quickly picked up & issued... /10
to Major Hardy's 44 Battery but... err... came with no spare parts... or ammunition.
Yeah... /11
Yeah... /11
Anyway, news of this farce spread and Hardy managed to scrounge 1,500 rounds of 40mm ammo from 11 Anti-Aircraft Battery which finally granted them a passable prospect of effectively engaging the Luftwaffe.
1 Support Group now aided 51st Highland, tailing repeated moves. /12
1 Support Group now aided 51st Highland, tailing repeated moves. /12
Move, dig in, move, dig in, move dig in.
On 5 June, Payne was succeeded by Lt-Col B.D. Cameron and became 2IC. Their padre, Capt Harold 'Padra' Key repeatedly took up cigarettes, mail & good humour to those most exposed positions, winning the Gunners' admiration. /13
On 5 June, Payne was succeeded by Lt-Col B.D. Cameron and became 2IC. Their padre, Capt Harold 'Padra' Key repeatedly took up cigarettes, mail & good humour to those most exposed positions, winning the Gunners' admiration. /13
Major Roger Charlton's 239 Battery was the first to see action against enemy armour at Aumale on 7 June. Roger was a pre-war Terrier with a rep for going into the thick of fighting to monitor his gun detachments' well being & efficiency. /14
As German armour made ground he oversaw the staggered redeployment of 2 Pounders, buying time with a mobile defence. Both G & H Batteries destroyed several tanks but found themselves steadily pushed back towards St. Valery.
They soon had no contact with Cameron or Payne... /15
They soon had no contact with Cameron or Payne... /15
who'd both been captured.
Roger deliberated with the other battery comds and assumed command, deciding to withdraw alongside 51st Highland towards St. Valery.
10 June was a critical day as they received orders at 1430 to proceed to Fauville around 1930. /16
Roger deliberated with the other battery comds and assumed command, deciding to withdraw alongside 51st Highland towards St. Valery.
10 June was a critical day as they received orders at 1430 to proceed to Fauville around 1930. /16
The recce party under Hardy & 2/Lt M.R.M. Steele-Mortimer was captured enroute, highlighting that the entire withdrawal is going to be bloody messy.
At 1830, Roger heard German armour was advancing on St. Genevieve w. 2/Lt H.W.E. Cleaver's Tp making contact 15 mins later. /17
At 1830, Roger heard German armour was advancing on St. Genevieve w. 2/Lt H.W.E. Cleaver's Tp making contact 15 mins later. /17
Cleaver's men drew the short straw and would sacrifice themselves in a final holding action and hopefully allow 1 Support Group to extricate themselves.
Roger shoved 239 Battery at the head of the column and ordered their 2 Pounders to blast apart every road block encountered /18
Roger shoved 239 Battery at the head of the column and ordered their 2 Pounders to blast apart every road block encountered /18
This worked to a point.... but the column was ultimately forced to break up into smaller groups & infiltrate their way through enemy lines.
Roger instructed 2/Lt N.D. Wardrop to lead a rearguard of ten ORs from 237 Battery w. a Bren & Lewis to stall enemy following up. /19
Roger instructed 2/Lt N.D. Wardrop to lead a rearguard of ten ORs from 237 Battery w. a Bren & Lewis to stall enemy following up. /19
There was no way out for Wardrop and his men.
A lot rested on this miserable assignment.
They created a small strong point & hoped some stragglers may arrive. At 1800 they broke/held off against a strong German attack that reached within 20 yds of their position. /20
A lot rested on this miserable assignment.
They created a small strong point & hoped some stragglers may arrive. At 1800 they broke/held off against a strong German attack that reached within 20 yds of their position. /20
Some stragglers joined Wardrop's beleaguered defence, and he decided to try and clear a path back through a wood - only to be hit by heavy shell fire and lose four men killed, with the remainder wounded. MG fire grew and Peter Walker was killed trying to break through. /21
Much of 101 LAA & AT Regt was now captured or wounded in their attempt to break through to St. Valery, with all of 239 Battery's vehicles and guns lost.
Yet... the Regt's battered remnants managed to reach St. Valery and Roger deployed his last few 2 Pdrs to cover sea evac. /22
Yet... the Regt's battered remnants managed to reach St. Valery and Roger deployed his last few 2 Pdrs to cover sea evac. /22
A substantial number were able to board vessels to make their way back to England, and Roger decided to stay to ensure as many of his men escaped as possible.
Now stuck behind German lines, Wardrop came across fifty men and directed his own private effort... /23
Now stuck behind German lines, Wardrop came across fifty men and directed his own private effort... /23
to reach the town. He met up with 2/Lt R.W. 'Hinch' Hinchcliffe who was manning his own roadblock delaying following up German forces, but a mortar bomb wounded Hinch and it became clear to Wardrop that there was no prospect of escape. /24
Some of 101 LAA & AT Regt managed to escape on the SS Princess Maud further down the coast. One of them, Tony Walsh, was stunned to see Roger and another member of 239 Battery, Cyril Bellis, aboard. /25
After 51st Highland surrendered on 12 June, Wardrop made his way down to the beach w. four ORs |& the Lewis gun. Claiming to make a last stand on a grounded French gunboat, holding for several hours until it was blown apart by enemy fire. Killing all but Wardrop & 1 man. /26
So where was B Echelon throughout this verifiable shitstorm? Lt A.E. Currie saw them reach Brest where they destroyed their remaining vehicles & over the course of 15 - 18 June embarked to return to Britain, bringing back 3 officers & 200 ORs. /27
In spite of woefully inadequate equipment, 43 & 44 Batteries claimed a total of 47 aircraft destroyed with an additional SIXTY probables.*
*Sceptical but tricky to crossref.
237 and 239 Battery's records are sketchy but claimed at least seven tanks definitely KOed. /28
*Sceptical but tricky to crossref.
237 and 239 Battery's records are sketchy but claimed at least seven tanks definitely KOed. /28
A third of 101 LAA & AT Regt was lost at St. Valery: while 7 officers and 308 ORs made their way back to Britain, including Roger.
That *anyone* made it back is fine testament to Roger Charlton's fine leadership & Payne's excellent groundwork in adverse circumstances. /thread
That *anyone* made it back is fine testament to Roger Charlton's fine leadership & Payne's excellent groundwork in adverse circumstances. /thread
