56th Reconnaissance Corps

Discussion in 'Recce' started by Recce_Mitch, Nov 30, 2008.

  1. Gerry Chester

    Gerry Chester WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    From the North Irish Horse Roll of Honour records:

    Trooper THOMAS RICHARD MOULD
    56th Regiment Reconnaissance Corps
    Died age 26, 22nd February 1946.
    Service Number: 6087956.
    Birthplace: London.
    Son of Thomas and Jane Mould, Tinsley Green, Sussex, England.
    Husband of Kathleen Mould, Tinsley Green.
    Buried: Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany. Grave location: 3.AA.6

    Gerry
     
  2. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    Gerry, That would be really good. With Trooper THOMAS RICHARD MOULD I notice the date is 22nd February 1946. Did he die of wounds recieved prior to end of WWII?

    Paul
     
  3. Gerry Chester

    Gerry Chester WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    With Trooper THOMAS RICHARD MOULD I notice the date is 22nd February 1946. Did he die of wounds recieved prior to end of WWII?


    I wouldn't think so Paul, if he was wounded before war's end he would not have joined us when we were stationed in Austria. I will contact the Regimental Historian to see what is the archives, It will probably take some time. PM your e-mail address to me: vqppnih"msn.com

    Gerry
     
  4. Peter Bowe

    Peter Bowe Junior Member

    I am currently researching for a book about No.6 Commando, and am interested in any information on the actions of 56th Reconnaissance Regiment in support of No.6 Commando at Steamroller Farm on 26th February 1943.

    No.6 (Army) Commando
     
  5. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    The Reconnaissance Corps

    Reprinted from the “Fighting Forces” (British) April 1942

    One of Britain’s newest and most powerful weapons is being welded into shape at a Scottish training centre.

    It is the Reconnaissance Corps whose Battalions (one to each Infantry Division) have a scale of armaments and a degree of mechanisation unprecedented in military history.

    Each battalion has over 250 mechanised vehicles including armoured cars with a high road speed, Bren carriers, troop carrying trucks and motor cycles. Driving at the normal speed and density the Battalion vehicles make up a column 13 miles long which would take over 50 minutes to pass a saluting base. Armament includes anti tank artillery, .55 rifles and grenades, batteries of mortars and hosts of tommy-guns and light machine guns.

    Naturally the best men are required to master these new engines of war. Before being accepted at the centre candidates must get high marks in psychological examinations which test quickness of decision and mental alertness. Journalists and schoolmasters are the most widely represented among the professions. Quick gathering of information about the enemy and good man management are vital to the conduct of operations

    If possible the battalion will probe the enemy lines by cunning and stealth. But if it has to fight for it’s facts, then it can turn on a blast of fire that no battalion has ever possessed before. Therefore men must have brawn as well as brain. Training is hard and in some degree similar to that of the Commandos.

    Tough Training

    Trainees at the Centre are formed into Recruit Companies for two months basic drill, easy going at first, but toughening up towards the end. Subjects include handling of weapons, anti-gas, marching and gymnastics. Instructors go to great pains in making their classes “Corps conscious”. This is very necessary for the Corps was comparatively unknown until recently. Trainees sometimes include men from other regiments and wearing the new badges and buttons for the first time.

    After basic training the men are posted to the Specialist Companies at the centre. Company “talent scouts” – Officer’s and NCO’s - have kept a close watch on the recruit squads and can pick the right men for the right jobs.

    No. 5 Company, which produces signalers, mechanics and motor-cyclists has first choice. The signalers are the most important trainees in No. 5 Company, for wireless is the life-blood of reconnaissance. News obtained by the busy inquisitive scouts is of no avail unless quickly transmitted to Battalion Head-Quarters. In three months recruits master three different types of set which send information from the smallest sub-unit – to Battalion Head-Quarters. The wiring diagrams should be known by heart. Messages must be transmitted on the Morse buzzer at rates of twelve to fifteen words a minute

    The motor-cyclists – each Battalion has over seventy – are also used for communication. In three months the mechanics learn a trade which would not be mastered under a year in peace-time.

    No.3 Company produce crews for the armoured cars and carriers. The men must not only know how to drive and maintain vehicles, they must learn sufficient tactics to take their place in an operational scout platoon when posted away from the Centre. The correct procedure for transmitting messages to a receiver many miles away must be mastered. They must be very well trained in reading one-inch and quarter-inch maps. A working knowledge of field engineering, demolition and mine clearing is essential. They should be able to hit both men and planes from the revolving turret of an armoured car. They are taught something of driving, maintaining, and fighting by night. They must be quick to recognise enemy aircraft and tanks.

    Finally there is No.4 Company which trains assault infantry. When the armoured cars and carriers are held up during an operation these men dismount from speedy little trucks and clear away the opposition. They are to swim rivers and scale rocks in full kit. The men are hardened by drill, physical exercises and marches. Small groups are sent out to fend for themselves for two days with mess tins, rations and two bivouac blankets. They must be capable of marching short distances at top speed. Scouting patrols, searching villages and quick occupation of road blocks are taught. They must know how to read both British and foreign maps. They also learn driving and first aid and should be able to dig the first stages of a trench system in half the normal time. Their weapon training is brought to a high pitch on the field firing range.

    Initiative and quickness of decision are tested on special “Blitz Ranges”. A man selects his weapons before starting round the course with an instructor. At various points he is “attacked” by dummy targets concealed behind trees and bushes, he comes across trench systems full of “enemy” and snipers. Some of the attacks are so sudden that he has to fire his service rifle from the hip. At the end of the course the men are told how many mistakes they have made and how many “casualties” they have inflicted.

    The Centres instructors are kept well up to scratch. There are special hardening courses for junior NCO’s. Everyday the officers from the Adjutant downwards and Warrant Officers do rifle exercises and marching drill under the Centres Regimental Sergeant Major. The latter is an old Grenadier who felt considerable grief when he changed his Guard’s uniform. He now says that he has never seen such a fine show as the Reconnaissance Corps.

    Every afternoon the whole centre from the Commanding Officer to the youngest recruit have fifteen minutes “blitz” in weapon training. Cross country running is one of the most popular past-times. Beagles are kept and prove of great assistance in developing an eye for the country.

    If the candidates show exceptional promise they are eventually sent for six months to the Reconnaissance OCTU near the Centre. A very high standard is demanded from the cadets. Until recently the Commandant had awarded only one “A” Certificate for exceptional work. The quality has improved so much during the last course that three “A’s” were awarded.

    The cadets do ordinary infantry training during the first three months. Then they learn the intricacies of the internal combustion engine. Groups of vehicles are lined up, each of which has some technical fault. Cadets must right the wrong in a limited time.

    There is little time to wait for a Repair section during a Reconnaissance, and cadets are taught ingenious methods of keeping their vehicles on the move. Recently a carrier driver, taking part in an important exercise, discovered that his fan belt was broken. Almost as second nature he pulled off his braces and made a temporary belt. He then climbed back into his vehicle, holding up his trousers, and brought his carrier safely back to harbour. (The army presented him with a brand new pair of braces in recognition of his deed.)

    Cadets learn to master wireless. Then comes the most serious side of their work – Reconnaissance exercises composed of cadets who command the various armoured sub-units in rotation. One day a young Lance Corporal will be a company commander, a job normally undertaken by a Major. The next day he will be an ordinary driver. This system increases the versatility of the cadets. When commissioned they will know all the jobs of the men under their command.

    During the exercise the cadet company commander receives orders from Battalion Head-Quarters. He must quickly grasp the points vital to his own company and transmit a quick summary to his platoons, who in turn wireless instructions to sections. Cadet can get their armoured companies on the move in five minutes after receiving Battalion orders.

    There is field-firing range on the hills where the ball ammunition is fired from mortars and machine guns. Cadets are also taught to make forced marches in full kit. Recently a group marched ten miles in one hour and forty-five minutes. They also have to jump trenches and wire obstacles and scale high brick walls in special assault courses. Rugger (a well known game) and soccer are played.
     
  6. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    My fathers service history originally posted on BBC site

    My fathers name is Thomas Heald Mitchell, he was born at Chesterfield Rd, Bolsover on 13 June 1919.
    His army number is 1873128.
    His army history is as follows:

    4.5.1936 – 16.2.1937 Royal Engineers
    20.6.1938 – 8.2.1941 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards
    9.2.1941 – 31.12.1943 56 Recce Corps
    1.1.1944 – 13.6.44 Royal Armoured Corps

    His active service history is as follows:

    B.E.F 29.9.1939 – 27.2.1940

    B.E.F 10.3.1940 – 1.6.1940

    Nth Africa\Sicily\Italy 31.10.1942 – 9.3.1944

    What follows next is a brief chronological account of my dad:

    4 May 1936 – Dad joined Royal Engineers – 207 Party – Chatham – Brompton Barracks.

    16 February 1937 – Dad discharged from Royal Engineers – underage.

    20 June 1938 - Dad joined 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards – Caterham – Passed out at Wellington Barracks (Sgt Maggs Squad). His grandfather William Heald was also in the Grenadiers.

    September 1939 – Dad was part of advance party into France approx 2 weeks before the rest of the Battalion. The SS Canterbury landed at Brest and he drove a staff car to Lille. Dad was in HQ Squadron.

    27 February 1940 - Dad went on leave.

    10 March 1940 - Dad returned to the BEF.

    1 June 1940 - The 1st and 2nd Battalions Grenadier Guards embark off the beaches between La Panne and Bray Dunes; the 3rd at Dunkirk.
    Dad evacuated from Dunkirk on HMS Codrington(D65), which also embarked General Montgomery and brought them back to Dover. Attacked by aircraft and shelled from shore batteries but it was not hit. Dad had his pockets and kit full of ammunition (he had picked a lot up), which was gratefully received by the crew of HMS Codrington.

    9 February 1941 – Dad joined 56th Reconnaissance Corps.

    27 October 1942 - Left Barri Camp Scotland for Nth Africa on the Cameronia.

    13 November 1942 - Landed at Algiers Docks with HQ and B Squadrons of 56th Recce as part of Operation Torch. Spent their first night(s?) in the Botanical Gardens. Dad was in HQ Squadron.

    [November 16 1942– 78 div pushed out in Tunisia.

    Dad crossed the Atlas Mountains ahead of Blade Force, 1st Army's spearhead which comprised elements of 6 Armoured Division and contained the tanks of 17/21 Lancers, a motorized company from 10 Rifle Brigade, a squadron of armoured cars from the Derbyshire Yeomanry, paratroopers from 1 Para, a battery of 25-pounders from 12 RHA (HAC), a battery of anti-tank guns from 72 A/Tk Regiment, a troop of Bofors AA guns and a troop of Sappers.

    Dad was classified Driver/Mech and he drove a Portee towing a 2pdr anti tank gun as part of an anti tank crew.

    29 November 1942 - Dad was wounded in Action at Medjez El Bab. Cpl’s Christian and Jopling were killed instantly with Tpr Abraham dying later. After the mine explosion their own ammunition exploded and he had to lie behind a few rocks trying to avoid exploding ammunition for an hour or more. There were 2 vehicles in convoy; Dad was in the 2nd vehicle.

    30 November 1942 – 159th Field Ambulance.

    1 December 1942- No.8 Casualty Clearing Station.

    4 December 1942 - 220 Field Ambulance.

    [11 December 1942 – Dad discharged to Transit Camp Roue.

    21 December 1942 - Dad transferred Field Ambulance.

    7 March 1943- 19 Casualty Clearing Station - Nth Africa.

    23 March 1943 - Transferred to Rest Camp (for approx 1 week) Nth Africa.

    May 1943 - Dad went to Cape Bon Peninsular as part of reinforcements.

    July 1943 – Dad went by LST to Catania Sicily as part of reinforcements.

    September 1943 – Dad went to Italy.

    12 December 1943 – Reported sick.

    16 December 1943 - 99th General Hospital – Pneumonia – (ex Italian Navy Hospital, Taranto Italy) – Royal Marines commanding.

    31 December 1943 - Evacuated by Ship to Catania Sicily

    1 January 1944 - General Hospital (Sicily).

    2 February 1944 - Transferred (by ship).

    5 February 1944 - General Hospital – Algiers.

    3 March 1944 - Hospital Ship to England.

    9 March - Royal Infirmary (2 weeks).

    22 March 1944 - County General Hospital (51 days).

    13 June 1944 - Discharged from Royal Armoured Corps due to injuries received in North Africa.
     
  7. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Recce Mitch -
    don't know what you are doing wrong but I put it down to the fact that my fingers are broad and the key buttons are small !

    Just thought I'd jump in to say that the Gen Hospital in Catania was more than likely the 33 rd - which I landed in the November of '44 from Ancona via Bari - allegedly on board to Blighty but the rotters threw two dozen battle casualties off as we could be patched up and sent up the line again - sick base wallahs had our cots !
    Cheers
     
  8. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    Tom, Thanks for the info about the 33rd.

    "When we was being evacuated the stretchers were mixed German and British. We were all ready to be put aboard a ship for Sicily. So we evacuated from Taranto to Sicily to another Hospital and then we were evacuated on another Hospital Ship to Algiers. I was on 3 Hospital ships altogether. When we got back to Algiers we went up into the mountains. It had been an old French convalescent home at one time or another. Then when I was evacuated back from there to the UK we had these nurses (Queen Alexanders Nursing Corps), one was a Major that did all the amputees, taking photographs on the docks at Algiers. Italian prisoners were carrying the stretchers. They even tried to swipe your gear. I had this small pack that I temporarily placed on the stretcher on the side of me it fitted perfectly as the bloke had lost his leg. That’s why it fitted so easily. I remember this as being Christmas Time." These are dad's own words
     
  9. Gerry Chester

    Gerry Chester WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Hi Paul,

    The files in the National Archives are fascinating. Additional to the War Diaries there are several editions of "Tallyho" the regiment's newspaper;
    a letter from the King to Lt. Colonel Chavasse; 78th Battle Division operational orders, etcetera. I will post some of them anon.

    Putting the diaries in a legible form, as a good 50% or more are hand written, will be a lengthy task but it will be done.

    Cheers, Gerry
     
  10. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    It will be fantastic to finally see some of those records. Many thanks.

    Paul
     
  11. Gerry Chester

    Gerry Chester WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    I am currently researching for a book about No.6 Commando, and am interested in any information on the actions of 56th Reconnaissance Regiment in support of No.6 Commando at Steamroller Farm on 26th February 1943.

    Peter,

    I am presently digging into 56th Recce's records - here's something that may well be of interest to you:
    56 Recce - 21

    There obviously is lots more - which will be passed on as I come across it.

    Cheers, Gerry
     
  12. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    Gerry, I found that letter very interesting. Thanks.

    Cheers

    Paul
     
  13. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    Why would there be a 56 Recce grave on Malta.

    JOHN WHEATLEY

    Trooper
    5122311
    who died on Saturday 11 September 1943 . Age 34

    Son of Henry John Wheatley, and of Minnie Wheatley, of Alcester, Warwickshire. Coll.

    IMTARFA MILITARY CEMETERY Malta grave 3. 3. 22.

    Cheers

    Paul
     
  14. At Home Dad (Returning)

    At Home Dad (Returning) Well-Known Member

    Hallo All

    Thank you for this fascinating thread. Although the focus here is on 56th, there is still much for my personal interest in 2nd Recce. Not knowing much about my Grandad in WW2 (Burma) is a shame, but it's great when articles such as the one from 'Fighting Forces' are posted!

    As far as I know, Grandad was an early recruit to Recce and so I guess he went through his training in Scotland.

    Thank you for filling in more blanks!

    Kind regards all



    The Reconnaissance Corps

    Reprinted from the “Fighting Forces” (British) April 1942
     
  15. At Home Dad (Returning)

    At Home Dad (Returning) Well-Known Member

    the day after the surrendering Italian fleet docked in Malta too



    Why would there be a 56 Recce grave on Malta.

    JOHN WHEATLEY

    Trooper
    5122311
    who died on Saturday 11 September 1943 . Age 34

    Son of Henry John Wheatley, and of Minnie Wheatley, of Alcester, Warwickshire. Coll.

    IMTARFA MILITARY CEMETERY Malta grave 3. 3. 22.

    Cheers

    Paul
     
  16. Gerry Chester

    Gerry Chester WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Why would there be a 56 Recce grave on Malta.

    Paul,

    As the seriously wounded during the campaign in Sicily were evacuated to a hospital in Malta, it is reasonable to presume he was among them, sadly later to have succumbed to his wounds. I have made a note to check war diaries/casualty returns.

    The following repeats what was the subject of my last post, however, with a footnote as to the specific event.
    Recce 56-23

    Gerry
     
  17. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    Gerry, At Home Dad, Thanks for the info on 56 Recce grave on Malta. I have no idea on evacuations.

    Cheers

    Paul
     
  18. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    At Home Dad,

    Found this during my research into 56 Recce.

    2 Recce Memorial Kohima

    2 Recce Memorial_Kohima.jpg

    Cheers

    Paul
     
  19. At Home Dad (Returning)

    At Home Dad (Returning) Well-Known Member

    Thanks Paul.

    I'd like to get there one day
    to see it in person


    Kind regards
     
  20. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Hallo All


    As far as I know, Grandad was an early recruit to Recce and so I guess he went through his training in Scotland.



    I think that you will find that most if not all Recce had training with the Commandos, I certainly know that my father was in Scotland and trained there with the Commandos.

    It only came to light when I made my first summer holiday and stopped to take a picture of the Commando Monument.

    When I told my father of the monument he explained that he had trained there.

    Mainly hand to hand unarmed combat.
    You will also see that they were usually heavily armed.

    Regards

    Tom
     

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