Does anybody have the war diary for this unit in (either/both) February & March 1944? Reference: WO 170/933 Description: Field Regiments: 23 Fd. Regt Date: 1944 Jan.- Dec. Happy to exchange paperwork if I have anything of use to offer in return. Alternatively, can anybody give me their locations and movements during 1944? They were attached to 43rd Independent Gurkha (Lorried) Infantry Brigade.
Charley, from David, aka forum member dryan67 (top chap!) 23 rd Field Regiment, RA Station: Exeter (UK.) Batteries: 60,100,89 & 90th. The regiment served under 3 Infantry Division from 3 September 1939 until 5 March 1940. It mobilized at Exeter & moved to France with the division on 29 Sept; 39. It left Avelin on 5 March 1940 & transferred to 51 (Highland) Infantry Division with 89 & 90th Battery at Auchy-les-Hesdin & 60,100th Battery at Bronvaux. It was in positions at Veckering, Lauinesfeld & Halstroff. It withdrew from the metz with 51 Division & was captured on 12 June with the division. I would just like to add that Eric Linklater did a tidy little booklet with more information that is in the Divisional History for this period (that is if you wish to obtain it?) THE HIGHLAND DIVISION H.M.S.O. The regiment reformed at Aldershot on 16 June 1940. It reorganised with 60,80 & 90th Batteries on 3 Feb 1941. 100 Battery left to join 13 Anti-tank Regiment on 3 Feb 41. The regiment served in the UK under 24 Independant Infantry Brigade (Guards) from 6 Jan 13 Feb 1941, under 48 Infantry Division from 13 Feb - 14 Nov & under 77 Infantry Division from 1 to 19 December 1941. I have yet to check out the source for this information, but I've got a idea. Quite a few e-mails exchanged over the weekend. The regiment then became an army field regiment. It came under command of 2 Army Group RA at Scotch Corner, Darlington, North Yorkshire (UK) on 24 Sept 1942. It was sent to North Africa with this formation & was located there by December 1942. It fought in North Africa Campaign under 2 AGRA until May 43. It next landed at Salerno with 2 AGRA & fought until the end of the Italian Campaign. It was directly attached to 24th Guards Infantry Brigade from 5 Apr to 14 Aug 44 under 43 ( Gurkha) Lorried Infantry Brigade from 28 Sept 1944 until the end of the war. That is it for the moment. I need to do some more reading re 24 Guards Brigade War diaries that I have just got! I have not read that wiki link that you sent me recently. Regards, Stu.
Charley, I know I'm getting away from what you have asked, but its worth putting the info out for others. I've been looking at the book by Robin- McNish (Third Revised Edition) IRON DIVISION The History of the 3 Division 1809-2000. Its a good book & anyone should be able to pick it up for about 25 sheets, or may be less? On page 71 it mentions Mobilisation -- September 1939 On arriving home from Palestine in August 1939 Montgomery had first to defeat the War Office ruling that all appointments were suspended on mobilisation, which was then imminent. He quickly persuaded the Military Secretary's branch otherwise, & assumed command of the Division From Major-General Bernard on 28 August. Artillery: 7th,23 & 33rd Field Regiments; 20th Anti-tank Regiment. Divisional Troops, One 2 Middlesex (Machine gun Battalion). A quote from Andy, aka Drew5233 this War diary is probably the most detailed diary of the B.E.F. At around 400 pages & mostly typed its good. (One had to buy it & is willing to share if required?) Sorry for getting carried away. Stu
Thanks for this informatiom Stu. I have one chapter of Iron Division (the one covering the post-war re-establishment). Not much help here, I'm afraid. I'm going to check the diaries I have and come back to this.
My father, Jack Griffiths, and my godfather, Bill Annett, were officers with 89th Field Battery RA from December 1942 to May 1945 in North Africa and then Italy. I have a copy of "The Story of the 89th Field Battery, RA in Africa & Italy" which was written by Bill Annett. Let me know if you would like a copy by emailing me at tjgriffiths@gmail.com. Regards Tim Griffiths
Hi Tim, thats excellent. I've noted your email & will be in-touch. It may be wise to edit your post & remove your email address. Spammers & all that. Thanks. Regards, Stu.
