Eighth army regiment Italy and Egypt

Thank you again.

M

 

I can confirm that the shoulder patch is 8th Army and some but not all of the original 8th Army Units fought the entire Italian Campaign ie.The following divisions did not:-50th and 51st Infantry -the only original 8th Army Division left was the 56th London which incl. Ist Batalion London Scottish this Division was twice rested in Egypt during the Campaign in Italy.
Hope this helps

jainso31

 

Mdougan
Eighth army regiment Italy and Egypt

I hope someone can help me with this query. I am trying to find out which regiment my father served in during WW2. He was in the 8th army and served in Italy and Egypt. I have no idea which regiment her was in - and only have a photo showing a sleeve badge. I have attached this here.
I'd be grateful if anyone could point me to info.
I have applied for his service record, but understand this can take some time.

Thank you.


Lots of chaps here just dying to help you but you really must give us a little more info.

Are you saying your Dad never told you the name of any of the units he served in ?

If this was the case then your only sensible route is to apply for his records, however long it takes, and then come back here to ask for help and guidance in translating the data into English.

Sorry to disappoint but it is just as well that you appreciate your options.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

Ron

 

Hi

Ron is right, we could all speculate but that it is all it is.
My Dad came from Lanakrshire and was in North Africa and Italy, but he was with an AA regiment, which has not been mentioned
So wait for it, but I can assure you it is worth it.
I have posted my Father's records on this forum and have had some good help in answering some of my questions.
So let us know when you do get it and ask away!

regards

Robert

 

Jainso31-
while the 50th - 51st Highland went home after Sicily and did not participate in the whole of the Italian campaign only Sicily - the 7th Armoured also went home after Naples was captured - The VIII armoured bde had already gone home -the 56th Division were late comers into 8th army having come from Syria and Palestine via Egypt and the desert for their only action at Enfidaville just prior to the end of the Tunisian campaign - they were so "un 8th Army" that Degiuand was sent down to teach them the ropes - their next action was at Salerno with the US 5th Army - then Anzio when they were then sent back to Egypt for more training, which was their only break from the Italian campaign. On their return they rejoined 8th Army at the Gothic Line taking terrible casualties at Croce and Gemmano alongside 46th Div.

The spring campaign saw them still in 8th Army until they finished up near Venice.

It should be noted that the majority of 8th Army divisions in Italy were the Kiwi's - 4-8-10th Indians - Polish corps - Canadian 1st div - 1st Cdn Armoured bde-4th & 7th & 9th Armoured bdes 1st Armoured Div and the Greek and Jewish bdes all from 8th army - 1st -4th - 46th - 78th-6th Armoured Div - 21st and 25th Tank bdes from 1st army- 5th Cdn Armoured from UK - 5th Div from Syria or wherever.....they were the globetrotters !

Cheers

 

Tom
I am aware of the British Order of Battle in Italy; but I was trying to pick out an original 8th Army unit that had a "Scottish" battalion in it's ranks.Really just a stab in the dark. I intend no offence by being minimalistic in my reply.
Cheers
jainso31

 

my grandpa was 2nd Bat Royal Scots Fusiliers 5th div right up to Sicily 43. when i look at what they did prior to Sicily, in comparrison to many other divisions they had it pretty easy (post dunkirk) mainly training in scotland and scraping up equipment and soldiers... they had been all over the globe for sure though.

as Ron says without the records its all speculation on what and who with mdougans father served with

 

Jainso31
Fine - I can accept that - but there is no evidence that he was in a Scottish Battalion as I am Scottish but served in a Yorkshire Battalion .....as Richard says the RSF in 5th Div served not only in Sicily but they paid for their wanderings by some very fine actions in Italy and particularly at Anzio and Sangro...
Cheers

 

I was trying to pick out an original 8th Army unit that had a "Scottish" battalion in it's ranks.

How about the 2nd Bn Cameron Highlanders, which belonged to 11th Bde/4th Indian Div? [Indian Army infantry brigades consisted of one British and two Indian battalions, from memory this structure was introduced following the mutiny]. Took part in Op Compass and so was in at the beginning in North Africa and fought in Italy in 1944. Do they come any more Scottish than a highland battalion?

Steve

 

Well yes of course. But I was only responding to Jainso's post about Scottish battalions!