SA and NZ units, April 1945

[Lupo Solitario]

Hi

Do anyone know the composition of South African and New Zealand Recon Units in Northern Italy, April 1945. I'm interested mainly in which kind of armor they used,

Thanks for any hint

Lupo

[Gary Kennedy]

Well strictly speaking they'd be Recce, not Recon, units.

However, in February 1945 both 2 NZ and 6 SA Armd Divs converted their Recce units to infantry. Along with other changes this allowed each of these Divs to form an additional Infantry Bde. Prior to becoming infantry, 2 NZ Div Cav Regt had fielded Staghoung armoured car and Daimler scout cars. I'm afraid I don't know what establishment the Natal Mounted Rifle used in 6 SA Armd Div before they were converted to infantry.

Gary

[diciassette2000]

The Natal Mounted Rifles before 1945 had this composition (summary):
Natal Mounted Rifles Divisional Armored Recce Regiment
-RHQ (Sherman II, Sherman ARV)
-3 Squadrons, each:
--Sqdn HQ (Sherman)
--5 Troops, each: 2 X Sherman II, 2 X Stuart
--1 Platoon: 4 x rifle secs, lorries, LMG, 1 x 2 "mortar, 1xPIAT
-1Scout / Liaison Troop:
--Troop HQ (Daimler Scout Cars)
--3 Sections (Daimler Scout Cars)
-1AA Troop: Crusader II AA
have also an attached Mortar Platoon, from Royal Durban Light Infantry: 4.2 "mortars, Carrier, LMG
all the best
Maurizio