hi everyone, hope someone out there can help me? i am trying to trace the movements of 234 battery 73rd anti-tank regiment RA. on D day, had no luck on the web so hope you can be of assistance , thanks , Archie
73rd AT Regiment Formed during the War (WF) Origin: Formed 11/40 Deployments: UK 1940-2 - 8 Armd Div N Africa 1942 - GHQ Troops N Africa 1942-3 - 7 Armd Div El Alamein 10/42 - 1 Armd Div D-Day 1944 - 50 Inf Div NW Europe 1944-5 - 30 Corps Troops Disbanded: 11/1945
I've just recieved my grand fathers war records. I know he was in 73rd anti tank Royal Artillery, landed on Gold beach. but the records don't tell me any other details. Anyone give me some pointers in finding more info cheers crhis
Hi Chris and welcome to the forum. Good on you for getting his records. If you can get to the National Archives-These are his units war diaries stored there. WO 166/1645 ROYAL ARTILLERY: ANTI-TANK REGIMENTS: 73 Anti-Tank Regiment. 1940 Nov.-1941 Dec. WO 166/7102 ROYAL ARTILLERY: ANTI-TANK REGIMENTS: 73 Regiment. 1942 Jan., Feb. WO 166/11343 73 AT Regiment 1943 Dec. WO 169/1522 73 Anti-Tank Regiment 1941 July- Dec. WO 169/4697 73 Regt 'A' A/Tk. Battery 1942 May- July WO 169/4724 73 Anti-Tank Regiment 1942 May- Dec. WO 169/9625 73 AT Regiment 1943 Jan.- Nov. WO 171/924 73 AT Regiment 1944 Jan.- Dec. WO 171/4776 73 AT Regiment 1945 Jan.- Aug. Cheers Andy
The 73 Atk Regt war diaries might not have the level of detail you need. You need the battery WD from the Firepower archive. The 73 Regt WD will not necessarily include much about batteries detached to under command another unit, a common expereince for the batteries and troops of the Corps Atk Regt. . In this case it is misleading because it gives the impression that the Regiment disembarked on D+1 7th June. The information I have suggests that the SP troops of 234 Battery disembarked on Jig Beach at H+90 under command of 102 Atk Regt, On D+1 both 198 and 234 Btys were deployed covering the left flank of 50 Div along the River Seulles from Nonant to Tierceville - under command 102 Atk Regt. This is from the research of the late Maj Will Townend RA which is slowly being turned into a history of the RA in the Normandy Campaign.
Gentlemen, thank you so much. The response I've received from the people on this site has been amazing. Within a week I've found out so much. My grand father L/Sgt Patrick Mannion (1120595) was in 'F' troop 196 battery 73rd Anti tank R.A. Sad to say he died in 1949 14 years before I was born. He seemed to talk very little about his 'trip' to Europe. Until last week no one in the family knew he'd been wounded in Normandy. This summer I'm visited Normandy for ten days, visiting as many museums as possible. Now thanks to knowledge gained on this site I know a few battles he was involved in. So I'll visit those sights as well. Andy thank you so much for the info I'll be in touch, are you in Leeds? Sheldrake thank you. I've already been in touch with Royal Artillery firepower museum and they've got straight back to me with a list of usefull WD. So I'm planning a trip to London very soon. Once again thank you everyone for your knowledge, time and energy. Chris
Hi Chris - Yes I'm in Leeds. Just shout if you don't want to do the trip from Merseyside to Kew. Cheers Andy
Hi Andy. I will do. Think I'll visit firepower museum before I go Normandy in June, was going to visit IWM, but alas it's closed for refit till July. As for Kew I think i may hand that over to you, as your far more experienced in these matter. I'll be in touch. p.s are you a Leeds utd fan? only ask as I am. Cheers Chris
I was going today but weather has postponed play. I may get a cheeky one day visit in tomorrow but I'm planning a big trip the week after. Drop me a PM if you need any help/advice etc. Cheers A
hi i have been trying to find my fathers war records and wondered how you go about it. i think he was in the 73rd. he was at d+1 on Gold and was driving a sp gun. i have been told that they departed from Warsash in Southampton. i was also told that they went towards Bayeux . i have one of his medals that has xxx corp on it.. i was also informed that they did a lot of service in Egypt 1941-42? and italy. so any help would be appreciated thanks
Hello and welcome The first thing you would need to do is pay the MoD £30 and they will send you a copy of his service records. They'll list all the units he was with and when amongst other things.. http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html
Chris, If you bear with me I will get back to you with a great deal of detail regarding the 73rd Anti-tank of which my father Cpt. R.B. Bisgood was Adjutant for much of the war. Best wishes Shane
Hi Shane, i'd also be interested in this. My grandad landed on Gold beach through Crepon and on to Nonant.
Hi Shane. Sorry to join this thread late. Do you have a record of Gunner Eric Weeden (my late father in law) who was in 73 AT Reg? He said that he left Southampton on D+1 (or so?). He wouldn't talk about what he did other than share happy memories of drinking Calvados in Normandy and the liberation of Belgium. I am not sure what battery he was in or what actions he was involved in - only one was ever mentioned when he carried Scottish infantry on his Carrier to take a hill. He went to India in 1945. Any snippets would be most gratefully received. Thanks Tony
Hi Tony. I assume it is you who have emailed me? If not then please do get in touch antitank73(at)hotmail.com Cheers Chris
