Girl Gunners of WW2

Discussion in 'General' started by Sheila M, Mar 6, 2009.

  1. penance

    penance Member

    Tom,

    All i know is they were there. While researching my Grandfathers war history I found it in the regimental diary. Notes not to hand at the moment so can't give exact dates.
    All that was mentioned was they had been assigned to 7th Armoured, around 8 weeks later was the next mention of 153 bty in the diary.

    Grandad had quite clear memories of that time.

    As a battery does no have to keep a diary I have hit a brick wall with my research on that, as you say there is no mention anywhere else (or not that we have found).
     
  2. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Penance -
    that happens as the smaller the unit the worse the communications get - the first mention of the Corps troops line up for the Western Desert force is that there were three batteries of 25 pounders - one of 6inch howitzers and one of 4.5's....the 36,000 men did one hell of a job in that so called five day raid - even with the withdrawal of the 4th Indian Div. !
    Cheers
     
  3. penance

    penance Member

    Indeed Tom they did a fantastic job!

    If i ever manage to get any more info on that period regarding 153bty I will be sure to share it.
     
  4. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Penance -
    that they did a fantastic job is an understatement when you think that Beresford-Pierce tried to nick the howitzers and mediums from the Corps Artillery for his 4th Indians on their way to Ethiopia- this was always the problem as they were all under the umbrella of "Artillery" - whereas the Tanks and Infantry were usually known by their regiments.

    Cheers
     
  5. penance

    penance Member

    Tom, you knowledge of that is much greater than mine. I am just starting to scratch the surface.
    Must admit, my limited knowledge or the artillery does agree with what you say. Thanks.
     
  6. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Penance -
    borrow a book from your local Library entitled - "Crucible of War " by Barrie Pitt - that will fill you in with the whole saga of the Operation Compass, including Beda Fomm -Battleaxe -Crusader - and the hardships those men undertook with a grin for our benefit later on. Later you can read Pitt's other two volumes - Auchinleks command - then Vol 3 - Monty's Command.

    Many of those same men fought all through the desert into Tunisa -Sicily - part of Italy and finally NWE to the end - then you will understand why I hold them all in such high regard -Wavell - The Auck and Monty and why I have no patience with idiots who claim the 7th Armoured Div - 50th Div - 51st Div -VIII Bde. were not as good in the NWE conflict - they did more than their share and were tired out of suffering !
    All those so called experts should read those three books - and quit bitching !
    Cheers
     
  7. penance

    penance Member

    Tom,
    Many thanks for the book rec, I will have a hunt for it and the others.
    Currently readin about Tobruk, the 51st played quite a role there from what i can gather.

    I whole heartedly agree with what you say there.
    Obviously Grandad had an emotional attatchment for me but I am very proud of him and what he did. He served in Norway, then off to North Africa and home via Sicily, Italy and NWE. It was a damn long war for him and his comrades.

    A pic of 153 bty Near Tobruk in Jan 1940:
    [​IMG]
     

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