Can anyone say, with relation to RTR, how the recon element of the Regiment would be chosen? Was it just anyone available, or were certain crews chosen for their experience/skill? My reason for asking, is that I recently found out that my Grandfather, who was a 1st RTR driver in North Africa, worked in the recon role. This info comes from a veteran who served with my Grandfather, and he seemed to say that it was something special to be working on reconnaissance. Is this correct? What type of Tank would be used in the recon role? I know he began in Vickers Light Tank MKVI's, but he also used to speak about M3's.
Some of our veteran members were in recce troops of armored units, Dave, no doubt they will fill you in on the personnel and selection side. The vehicles used for recce work varied over time. The Vickers Mk VI was the main recce vehicle in 1939-41, but it was then displaced by American M3 and M5 light tanks. By 1944, many RAC units had come to believe that the 37mm gun on these tanks was useless against any but light opposition, so they removed the guns and turrets. The resulting vehicle, designated Stuart Recce, had a lower profile and was better suited for the see-and-scoot technique. Stuart Recces were armed only with machine guns, but since they were not out to fight anybody that was considered OK. Intercommunication troops of armored units were equipped with scout cars (mostly the Daimler Dingo) and they could do some recce work if needed.
DAVE One has to distinguish between an "armoured unit " and a Tank bde....an Armoured unit would dig up their own recce units whereas a Tank Bde would depend on the Infantry division it was supporting to supply the recce needs of both since they were going into the same battle .....now the 1st Tanks were an" armoured unit " within 7th Ad and so could be sent anywhere - so they had to sort out their own recce needs.....and as TTH points out the recce units were NOT supposed to fight but to look and report back..regards the topless Tanks..many were used just to carry the infantry nearer the battle lines then head back but not to get mixed up with fighting... by 1941 we had discovered that the 37mm gun was useless against the enemy's special 75 and 88mm but we only saw FOUR 17 pounders for the Medenine show in late late '42 - then they were hauled out and didn't reappear until Sicily..or a least awhole battery of them.then they were lost at Cassino so it was October '44 before we saw them again....at least a few.. Cheers
The 8:15 to War Peter Roach, ex-recce Tp 1RTR Before he joined them, he does mention that they used scout cars which were missed when they had to change to carriers for Sicily. Back in the UK before D-Day they changed to M5 Light Tanks with a few Humber scout cars; the latter were considered an improvement on the earlier M3 Lights, if a bit big for recce, the Humbers were not liked as they were roofed and not easy to get out of in a hurry.
Thanks you three. Idler - i'll look the book up (another one for the list!) Your quote mentions regular sergeants being used. That would sound right. He was a Trooper, not a sergeant, but was a regular from 1936, so I would say quite experienced and I do believe he was considered a top driver. I think he gave driving instruction. Maybe good reasons for using him in the recon role? I remember him talking about driving the 'Honey', so that would of been the M3, but I dont know if it was the Recce version. Never recall him saying anything about scout cars though. If anyone can add more, I would be interested.
