45th RTR at el alamein (24th Armoured brigade)

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by via fora!, Apr 16, 2012.

  1. via fora!

    via fora! Junior Member

    45TH RTR took part in the battle of Alamein (the last) but I canot find any information of their part in the fighting. It looks loke they were always in reserve...

    Maybe some one can provide more info. The war diary of 45th RTR or of the 24th armoured brigade could be of some help.

    Thanks

    Eduard
     
  2. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

  3. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here is the war diary for the 45th Royal Tank Regiment for October 1942 showing its role in Alamein. The Swallows referred to are Sherman tanks.
     

    Attached Files:

  4. via fora!

    via fora! Junior Member

    Wow !! Great information in both answers.

    I'm a bit surprised by the numbers in the last page of the war diary. just 10 Crusaders and 12 Shermans... what happenned to the rest of the tanks in the regiment? I gues just breakdown or damaged in anyway?

    Many thanks!!
     
  5. HAMMO2440

    HAMMO2440 Junior Member

    Wow !! Great information in both answers.

    I'm a bit surprised by the numbers in the last page of the war diary. just 10 Crusaders and 12 Shermans... what happenned to the rest of the tanks in the regiment? I gues just breakdown or damaged in anyway?

    Many thanks!!

    Hi,
    If you get hold of the 45 RTR book published by Ronald Addyman it will give you some more information about the Regiment at El Alamain.

    ISBN 0 9547807 8 7

    Cheers,
    Hammo2440
     
  6. dswellydave

    dswellydave Member

    Hi - new to this forum. Was following it or am following it as I just got my gfathers war record. He enlisted in 1941 with the 45th RTR which is odd as it seems they were from Leeds & he was from Surrey - although it was the war.
    He was HOME Jan 41 to May 42 when he went to
    Country " ME" - anyone any ideas about that one. He was as I understand it with Montys 8th army? 9-5-42 to 9-9-43
    He was then posted to the "BNAF" which I know is the Brit Nrth Africa Force 10-9-43 to 5-10-45

    Units listed were 45th RTR then what looks like
    XIV B List 13.12.42 then
    To 40 RTR 13.2.43
    XII (ND) 26.10.43 then
    40 RTR 5.12.43
    ADV SQN 1
    RELIEF UNIT XIV
    15.3.44 then
    6RTR 19.8.44
    WIA 17.4.45 ITALY
    XIINA 17.4.45
    DISEMKD UK
    Y LIST (a) 6.10.46

    So it was 45 RTR to 40 RTR to 6 RTR then demobed in 46. I am guessing that the "XIV" and XII are medical units?? I have heard that after the second battle of EL Alamein he was taken from the front with battle fatigue? Do the XII's etc indicate this at all? I also remember my gmother telling us he was in the Italy campaign and was wounded in a motorcycle accident which effectively ended his war.

    I have also been searching war diaries so far with little luck.
    Any help appreciated. My Gfather never (as did so many) would talk about the war. But heroes none the less one & all.
    Ta
    D
     
    Owen likes this.
  7. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hello and welcome to the forum. Well done of getting his records !

    Here's the war diary refs you seek :)

    WO 166/1418 ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS: 45 Royal Tank Regiment. 1939 Sept.- 1941 Dec.
    WO 166/6919 ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS: 45 Royal Tank Regiment. 1942 Jan.- Apr.
    WO 169/4522 45 Royal Tank Regiment 1942 May- Dec.
    WO 169/9374 45 Royal Tank Regiment 1943 Jan.-Mar.

    WO 169/9370 40 Royal Tank Regiment 1943 Jan.-Dec.
    WO 169/15980 40 Royal Tank Regiment 1944 June- Sept.
    WO 170/859 40 Royal Tank Regiment 1944 Jan.- May, Oct.- Dec.

    WO 170/855 6 Royal Tank Regiment 1944 May - Dec.
    WO 170/856 6 Royal Tank Regiment, Headquarters Squadron 1944 Sept-Nov
    WO 170/4636 6 Royal Tank Regiment 1945 Jan.-Dec.
    WO 170/7874 6 Royal Tank Regiment 1946 Jan.-June

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  8. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    ME = Middle East.

    All the best

    Andreas
     
  9. dswellydave

    dswellydave Member

    Hey guys - many thanks for speedy replies - the search is on!!!
    Dave
     

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