To complete my research on the 8th Armoured Brigade, I would like to know the movements and tank deliveries of the Staffs Yeomanry from February - October 1942 please. Thanks, David W.
8th Armoured Brigade – 1 August 1941 to 13 February 1944 The 6th Cavalry Brigade became the 8th Armoured Brigade on August 1st, 1941. In August 1941, the horses were replaced by twenty 3-ton trucks in addition to the 15-CWTs already in the hands of ‘A’ Squadron. The first tanks, US M-3 Lights, were soon issued. The Stafford Yeomanry left for Egypt on February 19th, 1942. It arrived at El Khataba on the 20th where it remained until June. On arrival in Egypt, Stuarts and Grants were taken on through June 1942, but the regiment did not receive a full complement. The brigade was ordered to the Western Desert on June 14th at the edge of the escarpment twenty miles southwest of Mersa Matruh. The forward party left on June 16th and was complete on the 19th. On June 23rd, all tanks were taken away from the regiment and given to the 3rd and 4th County of London Yeomanry. It was ordered back to the Delta the same day and the regiment moved into Mareopolis Camp near Alexandria. A week later it moved to Tahag near Cairo with the brigade. ‘Coxcol’ was created with HQ, ‘A’ and ‘B’ Squadrons in 15-CWTs, one squadron of the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry, and one company of the Buffs. The column moved to defensive positions southwest of Demanour near Hash Isa but returned the next day to Tahag. Starting in July 1942 Grant tanks arrived in fair numbers followed by Crusaders on August 7th. By the end of August 1942 sufficient Grants and Crusaders had arrived to organise the regiment with ‘A’ and ‘B’ Squadrons in Grants and ‘C’ Squadron in Crusaders. At the end of August the brigade moved to El Huweijja near the Alamein Line. The Germans attacked on August 31st, 1942 and ‘C’ Squadron was sent forward to observation points. The regiment moved to a ridge north of Wadi El Sakran on September 1st and lost three tanks to enemy action. Rommel withdrew on September 3rd and the brigade was withdrawn on September 14th to forty-five miles west of Wadi Natrun to train. It moved up to the staging area at Quaret Sumara on October 18th in preparation for the Alamein battle. After moving to the staging area, a few Shermans arrived and were placed under ‘A’ Squadron. At the start of the battle the regiment had 15 Crusaders and 28 heavies, Grants and Shermans. The unit fought at Alamein through October 25th then reorganised the next day. By the end of October 25th it was reduced to 2 Crusaders and 14 heavies. The regiment reorganised and reequipped on the 26th. On the 28th it moved up to relieve the Queen’s Bays and then went into reserve on October 30th. The regiment received 4 new Shermans and 3 Crusaders on October 31st to bring it up to strength of 13 Crusaders and 16 heavies.
May be of some help but I have the following listed:- M3 Lee ( ? ) BATTLESHIP B Sqn BATTLESHIP II B Sqn M3 Grants BATTLEAXE B Sqn BATTLESPITE B Sqn BLENHEIM B Sqn DEFIANCE RHQ Sqn CO. M4A1 Sherman ANNE T74394 T144958 C Sqn 4 Troop ( found on British Pathe 1342.29 “The Great Offensive 1942” ) Cheers Kevin
