Thanks Nuno & Drew. I note with interest that the Battalion drew 6x Lt VI A/A tanks on the 19th of May. These are quite unusual beasts! And none too common.
Staying with the 7th, a different topic; does anyone know when in 1941 they sent the Sqd of Matildas to Malta?
Have you checked the Malta Siege blog? There weren't that many convoys, so I would check the dates of the Alex - Malta convoys, and then check the relevant days on the blog. http://www.maltagc70.com All the best Andreas
It wasn't a squadron, it was 4 tanks. It wasn't 7RTR, it was No. 1 Independent Troop RTR It wasn't 1941, it was 1940. See below for dates. Edited to add. I understand the Matilda's were actually donated by 7RTR and the LT. VIc by 3H. Nevertheless, it was not a sub-unit of 7RTR, but a newly formed unit :wink:
Thanks for that. I'm not having a very good day today! I think I have the wrong island perhaps. Did 7 RTR send a Sqd somewhere (Cyprus?) in August 1941?
With this one David, I suspect you're not at fault or confused. The internet is strewn with posts and comments regarding this specific topic and almost all are incorrect and misleading. That is why I took the liberty of cutting and posting the above so there can be no confusion as to the veracity. The original hardwork was done by another poster who regularly provides you with information. I read it some weeks back, remembered it existed, and thus re-googled it in 5 seconds.
OK. Thanks for that. I was however under the impression that they must have lost a Sqd some when around that time because did they not soon afterwards gain a "D" Squadron?
D Squadron returned in December 41/Jan 42. 'Returned' being the operative word. During BATTLEAXE 7 R.T.R. fought with two squadrons only. During CRUSADER the regiment (other than D Squadron) acted as TD regiment I believe? All the best Andreas
Be pleased. No need to go looking for where all those extra tanks came from. There weren't any extra tanks. 3 Sqns A, B and D not A, B and C. :wink:
OK. Thanks. So when 7 RTR arrived at Port Said on 24/09/40 I assumed it had 3 Sqds of in total; 51 Matildas & 7x Lt MkVIc. What is the reality?
For October when they moved out to the Blue I have them with 48 I tanks, 11 Mk. VI of which at least 1 'B', and 10 carriers, of which at least 2 'Lloyd'. All the best Andreas
No, three squadrons. Why do you think otherwise? 18/5/4 - B Sqdrn and Rgt HQ 18/5/4 - A Sqdrn 12/1/4 - D Squadron All the best Andreas
I thought 2 Sqds because of the note above saying no C Sqd after 1930's and your quote ""During BATTLEAXE 7 R.T.R. fought with two squadrons only."" Sorry to be dim, but I am confused. Especially as to when D Sqd was formed,present & when not.
D Squadron went to Tobruk in April 1941, and stayed there until December 1941. It arrived with the regiment in September 40. It went into the bag at Tobruk with the remainder of the regiment in June 1942. All the best Andreas