I am interested in anything known or held , relating to 21st Anti Tank Regt , ( Y Battery ). Which was attached to the Guards Amoured Div and XXX Corps. The period of interest is from 21.6.44 to 25.1.46. The reason for this is that my late father was a WS/BDR, with this battery from landing in Normandy 21.6.44, Nijmegen, Meuse (Arennes), through to southern Germany and returning to UK 25.1.46.
Hi war diaries held at TNA, Kew covering 1944-46 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441023 .http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4444872 .http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4449128 [hr] IWM hold this http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/publication/400001792 as well as listing other refs: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?query=%2221st%20anti-tank%20regiment%22&items_per_page=10 [hr] an account here on Philip Reinders' site http://www.royalartilleryunitsnetherlands1944-1945.com/21-anti-tank-regt.html as well as an excerpt from their diary http://www.royalartilleryunitsnetherlands1944-1945.com/y-battery.html
Hi Richard, I thought 21 A/TK Regt comprised 2nd (Minden), 'Q' (Sanna's Post) and 'Z' Batteries. This was for Sep 44 during Op Market Garden though, so perhaps it changed? Regards Tom
Richard Welcome My main interest is the British Army presence in Northern Germany in the immediate post war period but I do have a few snippets of information which may be of interest to you The Cuxhaven peninsular, between the Rivers Elbe and Weser, was the final objective of 30 Corps and the Guards Armoured Division in particular in early May 1945. According to my information 21 Anti Tank Regiment were based in the Cappel area to the south west of the town/port of Cuxhaven proper in mid May 1945 immediately after the German Surrender. In early Summer 1945 there were a number of moves of Formations/ major units.as the British Army spread out across the entire future British Occupation Zone replacing in some cases American Formations. The Guards Division moved south to the Rhineland south of Cologne in mid June 1945. However at the same time 21 Anti Tank Regiment left the Guards Division and came under command 7 Armoured Division of 8 British Corps and moved to the area of Schleswig Holstein north west of Hamburg on the east bank of the River Elbe and south of the Kiel Canal. Matters were further complicated by the fact that at the same time Headquarters 7 Armoured Division and selected units left for Berlin to form the basis of the first British Army Garrison in the city. 21 ATK Regiment were not involved. According to my sources the Regiment were subject to a number of moves in late Summer/early Autumn 1945 (I am currently uncertain exactly where they were in late Autumn 1945/New Year 1946l) I know the Regiment moved to Aurich close to the Dutch border in Spring 1946 but by then your father had returned to civilian life. These locations are Pinneberg 21 June 1945 Wilstedt 29 July 1945 Brundesbuttelkoog 29 August
Richard To add some more detail to Bluebell Minor’s post 8 May 45 – 21st Anti-Tank Regiment RA of HQRA Guards Division RHQ: Schwinge south-west of Stade – to Cappel south of Cuxhaven 21 May 45 – to Blender west of Verden 28 May 45 – to Sandbostel south of Bremervörde 15 Jun 45 – Temporary command to 51st (Highland) Infantry Division 21 Jun 45 – to HQRA 7th Armoured Division Pinneburg north-west of Hamburg 14 Jul 45 – to 22nd Armoured Brigade while HQRA 7th Armoured Division was in Berlin 29 Jul 45 – to Wilster north-west of Itzehoe 29 Aug 45 – to Brunsbüttel west of Itzehoe 5 Oct 45 – returns to HQRA 7th Armoured Division 15 Jul 46 – to Aurich with Q (Sanna’s Post) Battery in Onsabrück Have conflicting information regarding batteries 2 (Minden) Battery – Q (Sanna’s Post) Battery – Y Battery – Z Battery Then later P Battery – Q (Sanna’s Post) Battery – X Battery – Z Battery 9 Oct 46 – redesignated 4th Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (Anti-Tank) F Battery – V Battery – W Battery 1 May 47 – redesignated 10th Anti-Tank Regiment RA Q (Sanna’s Post) Battery – Y Battery – Z/F Battery by Oct 47 – 2 (Minden) Battery reformed
My Grandad W/Sgt 821496 Frederick William Ward, served in 21st anti tank regt RA. I served Myself, as a Jnr Ldr RA 1988, then Maritime BlueJob RCT1990, then TA 63 Sig Sqn 2003. I love military history, and we have got My grandads service records etc. I found this group, and noticed the posts about the Regt. My grandad passed away in 1982, but if anyone remembers him, it would be great to here from you. Many thanks David: Posted 15/10/2016