44th Recce Regiment

David W · #1

Does anyone have a date of arrival in North Africa for the 44th Recce Regiment?

Also, what armoured cars were they using at the time?

Michael Emrys · #2

Are you sure you've got that unit designation correct, David? So far, the only 44th. Regiment I've been able to come up with is the 44th. RTR.

Michael

David W · #3

Possibly 44th Armoured Car Regiment, but I don't think so.

This unit should have been the Recce unit for the 44th Infantry Division, but I have it listed as a Corps assett at 23/10/42. And have no record of it at all prior to then.

Michael Emrys · #4

Hmmm, at this point I have nothing useful to add. Cobb concentrates on armoured formations and scarcely mentions infantry divisions at all, let alone give any breakdown of their component units. All he says about the components of the 44th. Inf. Div. are that it included the 131st. and 133rd. Brigades, and I'm sure you knew more than that already.

Michael

Martin_Schenkel · #5

As part of 44th Home Counties Division, the 44th Recce Regiment would have presumably arrived in Egypt with the rest of the Division, in July 1942. Initially however, the Regiment was sent to serve with 7th Armoured Div. The reason you have it listed as a Corps asset for El Alamein, is perhaps because it appears to have been reorganized for a special role in the battle. They disposed of their Humber lights while keeping their carriers, and absorbed the carrier platoons from two other Infantry Brigades, creating in essence a carrier battalion. The new 44th Regiment was part of a special mine-clearing force, spearheading the assault. When the 44th Home Counties was broken up in Nov 1942, the Regiment was sent to the 56th London Division, as its Divisional Recce Regiment.

David W · #6

Brilliant info Martin. Thank you.

They disposed of their Humber lights while keeping their carriers, and absorbed the carrier platoons from two other Infantry Brigades, creating in essence a carrier battalion.

Any idea of an exact date when this happened? Which Model Humber? & How many Humbers/Carriers they had before this change took place?

Thanks. Dave.

Martin_Schenkel · #7

David W wrote:Any idea of an exact date when this happened?

It appears the Division was relieved at the front in the first week of october, so presumably sometime after being pulled out of the line, and the begining of the El Alamein assault on the 23rd of october.

Which Model Humber?

The only reference I have refers to "Humber light reconnaissance cars". Presumably Humber IIs (?).

How many Humbers/Carriers they had before this change took place?

Sorry, don't know.

David W · #8

Thanks.