165 (Jeep) Field Regiment RA

165 Fd Regt were involved in Sicily (no formation given) and at Cassino (as 8 Army Troops) according to the RA Commemoration Book. Airborne, Jungle and Mountain Regiments may have used similar kit but other than that I think they are red herrings.

The theory that needs testing is whether 165 Fd Regt were the regiment re-roled with 75mm Pack Hows. For this to be done "by July [1944]" suggests that though they were in 8 Army's order of battle, they may not have been in battle at Cassino.

 

"Arnhem Bridge Target Mike One" talks about 1st Airlanding Light Regiment RA returning to the UK in January 1944 and handing over their 75mm Pack Howitzers to 165th Field as they left - one battery (64th) was renamed as Airlanding and went on to support 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade

 

Cheers, most helpful. And an impressive feat of memory!

I would have bet against such a junior regiment having such a senior battery under its wing.

 

This is an awfully confused thread. Can we make it absolutely clear that this has nothing whatsoever to do with Burma and/or Jungle Field Regiments.

 

I am following the post by Richard Lewis whilst making note and probably widening my knowledge by reading about the Indian Divisions in Italy.
I read Farewell Screw Gun earlier in the year, I think the book suggested by Idler will expand on this. Anyway I will find out in due course.
I dont think that anyone is necessarily confused in their "facts or suggestions" more likely we are out of sync as some of us (including myself) take time to study source material and by the time we post our findings the story has moved on.
I find the whole thing fascinating as I have recently read about The Glider Pilots in Sicily and this seems to be tied in with their later activities, again time will tell.
My next move is to make contact with my colleagues who have contributed to our group studies to see if any of them are aware of what has been revealed to date. It might awaken a few memories.

 

I am sure that there is more to find on this thread but things are never simple.

Thank you all so far, I look forward to any further postings, who knows what will turn up.

Thanks for your efforts Jitter Party perhaps my next thread might relate to my two uncles who fought in Burma.
I've posted things on them before but I might identify something for you and the Burma boys (Bless 'em All) to go at.

 

To date we have established that there was a 165 (Jeep) Field Regt RA and that it had a 64 Bty.
There is a list showing 188 Bty and 486 Bty on RA 39-45 site.
This is what I would expect with a European Theatre RA Organisation. 486 being a third Battery added in the 1941/42

The problem seems to revolve around the conversion of Anti tank Regiments to light Field units and the fact that they were at some time under the organisation of the Indian Army who were expert in the use of Pack Artillery.
I am assuming that the term Pack Artillery derived from the ability to dismantle guns and carry them on Pack Mules.

The question is: Where were the other two Batteries and RHQ in Operation Dragoon. Did They exist?

 

Operation Dragoon: Reading the War Diary posted by Richard Lewis, 64 Battery was the standard RA Battery of 8 guns.
Fortunately they were not under heavy fire as it took seven hours to accumulate the 8 guns into a concentrated area.
They seemed to get on well with the Americans.
However I found one passage somewhat amusing which revealed the difference in procedures and attitude.
The Americans decided to go off to attack the enemy whilst the Brits had to withhold fire due to the Americans getting in their line of fire.
The British FOO Reported: At approx. 1530 hrs we were told by A Company that all firing in the town had ceased so H.Q. and C Company moved into RV in the Main Square by the clock-tower. This apparently was the signal for firing to re-commence, and there were some anxious moments before it was realised that, in the main, the Americans were firing at each other. The order to stop firing was therefore given.