11th Armoured Division, Lakenheath - 25th January 1943

Discussion in 'Higher Formations' started by Ramiles, Jan 29, 2020.

  1. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    There's a set of IWM pictures called:

    THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND

    They are dated: 25/01/1943

    Most mention the "secret caption" on H26754

    H26764.jpg

    Which is...

    H26754.jpg

    11th Armoured Division (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia

    29th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia

    As part of the 29th Armoured Brigade, and part of the 11th Armoured Division...

    For 25th January 1943 the 24th War Diary for instance has:

    24th L War Diary : 25/1/43 The Brigade was inspected by HM The King. His Majesty was shown some of the tanks of this Regiment and inspected them in detail. A telephone message was received by the Divisional Commander from Sir Alan Lacelles Private Secretary to HM The King, to say that His Majesty was graciously pleased to express his pleasure at the parades and demonstrations which he saw and would like all ranks to be informed of his pleasure.

    The following Special Order of the Day was received from the Commander, 29th Armoured Brigade.

    Special Order Of The Day by Brigadier O.L.Prior Palmer, Commander., 29th Armd Div.

    “I congratulate all ranks on their excellent turn out on the parade on the 25th Jan. I was particularly pleased at the bearing of all troops after a long wait in cold weather. I also wish to congratulate all vehicle crews and those who prepared the ground for the parade. It was evident that a great deal of hard work had been done, which made a very successful and imposing parade”
    .

    IWM... e.g.

    H26752 THE KING'S DAY WITH TROOPS - EASTERN COMMAND -
    Original wartime caption: The King drinking the purified river water

    H26753 THE KING'S DAY WITH TROOPS - EASTERN COMMAND -
    Original wartime caption: The King signs the certificate that the water was fit for human consumption.

    H26754 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King shakes hands with Major General M.B. Burrows, DSO.,MC., on his arrival.

    H26755 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King shaking hands with Major Clitherow Smith, APM.

    H26756 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King inspecting the Divisional Signals, RHA.

    H26757 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King inspecting Divisional RASC.

    H26758 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King watching Bofors gun crews of The Division get into action during his tour of inspection.

    H26759 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King watching Bofors gun crews of The Division get into action during his tour of inspection.

    H26760 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King watching Bofors gun crews of The Division get into action during his tour of inspection.

    H26761 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King watching Bofors gun crews of The Division get into action during his tour of inspection.

    H26762 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: Cheers for H.M. the King as he departs in his car.

    H26763 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: Trumpeters of 27th Lancers sound The Royal Salute as H.M. the King arrives.

    H26764 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King inspecting armoured car and tank crews of The Division.

    H26765 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King keenly interested in a soldier's new type of steel helmet for Armoured Division troops.

    H26766 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King inspecting troops of The Armoured Division.

    H26767 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King keenly interested in a mobile kitchen. A special cooks' vehicle in the Division.

    H26768 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King inspecting the cooks with their mobile kitchens.

    H26769 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King inspecting the RAMC of the Division.

    H26770 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King watching the Divisional REs bridging. Using circular saw.

    H26771 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: Armoured cars drive past H.M. the King.

    H26772 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: Armoured cars drive past H.M. the King.

    H26773 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: Cheers from the troops as H.M. the King drives away.

    H26774 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King shaking hands with Lieut.Hugill when inspecting HQ Staff Officers.

    H26775 THE BRITISH ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 1939-45
    The King, riding in a White scout car, inspecting Crusader tanks of 11th Armoured Division in Eastern Command, 25 January 1943.

    H26776 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King inspecting tanks and tank crews of the Division.

    H26777 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King interested in a Crusader tank during his tour of inspection.

    H26778 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King interested in a Crusader tank during his tour of inspection.

    (H.M.King George VI inspects Crusader tank "Buq-Buq" (24th Lancers) with Lieut-Colonel Aird, Troop Commander Lieut. P.P.Williams and Driver Tpr.E.Payne at 29th Armoured Brigade Review, Lakenheath, Suffolk, 25th January 1943.)

    H26779 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King inspecting tank crews.

    H26780 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King inspecting 6-pdr. gun crews.

    H26781 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: Cheers for H.M. the King from the troops as the royal car drives away.
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2020
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  2. SDP

    SDP Incurable Cometoholic

    Good to see 24th Lancers represented. Ernest Payne, Mike Aird and 'Pip' Williams.
     
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  3. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    20220114_141505.jpg

    Hopefully there may be some other pictures of the 24th Lancers there.

    One possible candidate, perhaps, looks a little blurred unfortunately -

    H26776 THE KING INSPECTS AN ARMOURED DIVISION IN EASTERN COMMAND
    Original wartime caption: H.M. the King inspecting tanks and tank crews of the Division.

    - however it is "in order" if one were to consider that the photos of the 29th Armoured Brigade tanks were taken in review, by order of precedence, the 3RTR replaced the 24th Lancers later when the 24th Lancers were transferred to the 8th Armoured Brigade.... but this could give "the general idea"...

    20220114_162432.jpg

    You can see rather more with the zoom on the image at the above link, for instance a square "B" Squadron tac sign, but due to the blur it is still rather indistinct, particularly as far as the individuals in it are concerned. The troopers themselves are rather differently attired than the 2ndF&F for example, and the tanks look to be differently presented than are those of the 23H.

    20220114_171141.jpg

    Possibly at the time of the Lakenheath'43 review the 24th L Crusader tank troops were comprised of 4 Crusaders per troop, rather than the later case when the Regiment switched to Shermans and there were 3 Shermans per troop. The Troop shown seems to be the Number 3 Troop of "B" Squadron of the 24th Lancers. Presumably "Pip" Williams' tank was the one closest to the photographer - the farthest to the right, as possibly that is the tank there with 3 crew standing in front of it and "Pip" Williams - as the Troop Commander - is standing not in front of his tank with his crew, but instead is standing at the "head" of the entire Troop.

    24th L - War Diary -

    15/1/43 The Regiment took part in a demonstration of the tactical use of the 4 Tank troop.
    18/1/43 One NCO and 8 men from 1st Line Reinforcements left the Regiment on Draft No WS 26 R.
    20/1/43 The Regiments ‘B’ Echelon took part in 11th Armd Div Exercise “Frederick Uncle”.
    21/1/43 The Regiment took part in a demonstration on the picking up of Infantry and Anti-tank guns by tanks.
    25/1/43 The Brigade was inspected by HM The King. His Majesty was shown some of the tanks of this Regiment and inspected them in detail. A telephone message was received by the Divisional Commander from Sir Alan Lacelles Private Secretary to HM The King, to say that His Majesty was graciously pleased to express his pleasure at the parades and demonstrations which he saw and would like all ranks to be informed of his pleasure.
    The following Special order of the Day was received from the Commander, 29th Armoured Brigade.
    Special Order Of The Day
    By
    Brigadier O.L.Prior Palmer, Commander., 29th Armd Div.
    “I congratulate all ranks on their excellent turn out on the parade on the 25th Jan.
    I was particularly pleased at the bearing of all troops after a long wait in cold weather.
    I also wish to congratulate all vehicle crews and those who prepared the ground for the parade. It was evident that a great deal of hard work had been done, which made a very successful and imposing parade”.
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2022
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  4. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

    There's a Lakenheath review in the 2nd segment below, although the date would be earlier than the January 1943 Lakenheath one...

    WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 30 [Main Title]
    WPN30 - Object description
    An edition of the British official newsreel "War Pictorial News", produced by the Ministry of Information, Middle East.
    Full description
    I. 'LYBIA.' (sic) British armoured troops run to their vehicles from a desert dugout. The tank commanders hold an impromptu meeting and maps are consulted. Tank crews board their A9 Cruiser tanks at the start of a patrol in the vicinity of Tobruk. Matilda Mk II tanks move in a line-abreast formation across rough desert terrain. Commentary points out that British tank numbers are steadily increasing in the Western Desert and that they are ready to face the German panzer divisions.
    Full description
    II. 'NEWS FROM LONDON ; THE KING INSPECTS ARMOURED DIVISIONS.' King George VI inspects a division of the Royal Armoured Corps (Eastern Command). The King is met by General Sir Alan Brooke (Chief of the Imperial General Staff) and Lieutenant-General Sir Gifford Martel (Commander Royal Armoured Corps). The Royal party retires to a raised viewing podium as massed armoured crews stand to attention in front of their vehicles. The mixed armoured and reconnaissance force is reviewed by the King from the back of a lend-lease White 4x4 M3A1 scout car. Vehicles reviewed by King George VI include Matilda MkII tanks, Daimler Mk I armoured cars, and A9 Cruiser tanks (The reviewing location and date may possibly be Lakenheath in Suffolk on 12 December 1941). The King's scout car moves past scores of Universal Carriers, field tractors and QF 25-pounder field guns. An aerial view of the proceedings shows the extent of the massed armoured force below. The combined mobile force sets out on a drive-past of the reviewing podium. Artillery tractors (Ford FGT 4x4 ?) towing limbers and field guns drive past the podium, as Universal Carriers and motorcycle troops bring up the rear.
    Full description
    III. 'SPITZBERGEN EXPEDITION.' A combined force of Allied troops raid the Norwegian island of Spitzbergen (Royal Navy Force K under Vice-Admiral Sir Philip Vian, 31st July 1941). Commentary stresses that the war has by-passed the islands until now as they are at such a Northerly latitude. British troops arrive in what appears to be an armed trawler as resident Norwegians and guest Russian coal miners unload rations and equipment from the ships. Explosives are loaded onto a narrow gauge railway locomotive which sets off to its destination. The raiding party apparently consists of British, Canadian and Norwegian infantry. Panoramic views of snow capped mountains on Bear Island with an isolated radio station and transmitting mast in the foreground. Commentary states that the radio station is the most Northerly in the world, and that it provides vital meteorological information to the Germans. Canadian sappers lay explosive charges on the radio mast and adjacent buildings which are totally destroyed in the resultant explosions. A Canadian sapper takes cover from falling debris as he views his handiwork. Norwegian and Russian civilians wait to board a naval landing craft (LCA) in order to leave with the Allied raiding party. British infantry dressed in artillery style leather jerkins carry petrol cans up a massive pile of coal. The troops construct strategically placed ignition points around the coal dump, which are then ignited using phosphorus grenades. The slagheap smoulders as the Allied troops prepare to leave. Commentary points out that one hundred and fifty thousand tons of coal was destroyed in the raid. A thick pall of dense black smoke hangs in the sky as the fires take hold. Back on board the ships, civilians and soldiers mingle as Norwegian children play on the decks. A Norwegian national flag flies as dusk falls over the fjords.
     
  5. Richelieu

    Richelieu Well-Known Member

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  6. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

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