Royal Marines Armoured Support Regiment (2RMAS) Juno, D-Day

Drew,

marvellous! Thank you for the kind offer. TBH, I'm itching to have a read through the entire RMASR diary, to learn of its genesis and training etc. But anything in RMASR that can tells of which Troop Captain Kay(e) was in command of, T troop, to confirm Danny's info. (also any mention of a Capt Elliott in 2RMASR, to clear up the ref to 'Capt Elliott' of T Tp Centaurs" in 46 RM Cdo diary for 15th June). If it does indeed turn out that Capt Kaye was in command of T Tp, then the Troop report and any ref to that Troop on and after D-Day would be fantastic.

Re: 46 Cdo, and reference to RMASR, particularly around 9,10,11 June and Rots / Le Hamel. (esp. if it mentions taking out the church spire in Rots) We were there in June for a 46 re-union, and it was only when we got there, that I found out for the first time that my dad was involved in that action. He said to me "I was here, I recognise this place - in fact I think I may have been responsible for knocking down that spire" and offered his apologies to the Mayor!

Frank

 

Photo is from the National Archives of Canada. The Canadians landed a photographer with colour film. Colour was very unreliable at the time. Cinema film used Technicolour with clever processing but the simple still film does odd things to colour.

Photo should be on Juno. There is a series of colour shots all more or less in the same place. I will find them as time allows.

Mike

 

The Canadian flag may have been added by the Canadian photographer.

 

Hi,
The following information came from the 5 (Independent) RM Armoured Support Battery War Diary.

Captain Edward Elliot, RM, was in “T” Troop 5 (Independent) RM Armoured Support Battery.

Captain Elliot was in the area of Ranville – Sallenelles from 11th June until the 18th June when he was wounded.

So just to confuse things a bit there were two “T” Batteries between the units.

Regards

Danny

 

There were indeed two 'T' troops. One in 5 Independent Battery on Sword and one in 2 Regiment landing on Nan Green (Courseulles). Neither seem to match the 'facts' given by Franks father.

The colour photo is almost certainly Bernieres. Others in the same set are.

Mike

 

So, one step forward, two steps back. I'm beginning to see what it's like being a historian of this period!

All I know for sure is that Dad's troop commander was a Yorkshireman called Captain Kay(e), and that dad landed on the Eastern flank of Juno early on 6.6.44 and got off the beach without encountering any mechanical failures.

Does anyone have a definitive list of the troop letters for 1 & 2 RMASR & 5th Independent Battery?

My understanding is that 1RMASR = A,B,C,D (1st Btty); E,F,G,H (2nd Btty).
As for 2RMASR the only original source I have is the "Availability of Equipments on Nan & Mike Sectors" report from O/C 2RMAS to RMAS Gp dated 28 June 44, which lists P,Q,S,T, & W,X,Y,Z troops.

For 5th Ind Btty I know that there must have been a 'V' troop because the tank at Pegasus Bridge is named "Vidette" (I'm assuming that the tanks took their name from their troop letter).

Having different Troops with the same letter must have been confusing because both T troops were operating in the same sector for some of the time. Milner's article cites 2RMASR diary that the regiment was redeployed to the airborne bridgehead East of the Orne on 18th June (5th Btty were also in the same sector at that time?) and stayed there some 4 days before being disbanded and the tanks handed over to the Royal Artillery. Dad confirms that he was there for a short time before coming back to UK on an American ship (LST?). Then there is the reference to in 48 RM Cdo War Diary to "T tp (Capt. Elliott) of Centaurs of RMASR came under comd and registered on strongpoint" dated 15 June at Sallenelles. This must refer to the other T Tp in 5th Ind Btty as Danny says. Even more confusingly, Capt Elliott was wounded on 18 June, just when the Tp of 2RMASR would have arrived in the area.

 

Two more RMASG vehicles, both from 2 Battery on Gold. Hunter presumably from 'H' Troop and Fox from 'F' Troop. Both consistent with names beginning with troop initial letter.




Mike

 

One thing I have been able to establish beyond doubt is the exact location of the photos depicting Centaurs Assegai (Mike's photo. [LAC ref MIKAN 4233766]) and Achilles [MIKAN 4233764]. Another LAC photo [MIKAN 4233767] shows the location better and depicts what looks to be a RMASR Sherman OP (without gun). Mike, you are correct that it is in Berneieres, not Courselles as described in Milner's article. The exact location is towards the Eastern end of Rue du General Leclerc looking E across the intersection of Rue Bethelemy and (what is now) Rue Marechal Montgomery. The Hotel des Voyagers in MIKAN 4233767 is now Bar Restaurant La Cancaniere. One can see it here in google street view.

http://goo.gl/maps/yRWW7

 

We know these tanks were from 1 Btty 1RMASR (MIKAN 4233764 shows the Btty number 1 on Achilles) so would have landed on Gold. That they were photographed as 'far' east (albeit only 2 or 3 km) as Bernieres (we don't know the date for sure but the fact that they were still close inland suggests it must have been on D-Day or D+1) gives a good idea of the fluid nature of the sectors and that RMASR tanks were called upon as needed by both British and Canadian regiments.

 

I have the following, all Centaurs unless other wise stated:-

1st Battery, 1st RMASR
A Troop
ACHILLES T185084
ASHANTI
ASSEGAI T185096
2nd Battery, 1st RMASR
F Troop
FOX ( Sherman )
H Troop
HOOD T185082
HOUND
HUNTER T186363
HUSSAR ( Sherman )
5th Independent Battery
S Troop
SEAWOLF T185075
T Troop
TEMERAIRE
TETRARCH
V Troop
VIDETTE T185102
WARSPITE T147535 ( Sherman V Troop? )

Cheers

Kevin

 

Can we get the nomenclature right here. This wasn't technically a tank unit. . To quote from the BRA 2nd Army Brigadier's Parham's file note dated 28 May 1944 the RMASG is "Amphibious, web footed, armoured, partly SP, partly RAC, fires off the sea as HM Craft, on land as tanks or SP Arty according to taste."

You might also be interested that Hatchet Jack's note also says " They are A GRAND LOT OF CHAPS and it wouldn't be their fault if they aren't a huge success"

PS the tanks should have been all 75mm as they were GPO's tanks not OP tanks. The lack of comms and OPs was a problem for the RMASG and remedied when the unit became a battery supporting 6 AB Division.

 

Hi,
The photos of Achilles and Assegai were probably taken on the 7th June. There is an entry in the 1 RMASR WD for 7th June that says two Centaurs of A Troop which had landed on Nan Red beach at 09.00 arrived in 86 Field Regiment area at 19.15.

The original photo of Achilles is in colour. There are a few more colour photos taken around this time showing various LCT and troops on the beach.

There were two Centaurs from 1 Regt that landed at Juno Beach on the 6th June but I doubt if they were the ones photographed. See attached photo for information.

Regards

Danny

 

I have spent the morning going back to the Landing Tables for RMASR on Juno. I was just getting to Nan White and Nan Red last weekend, having already looked at Mike and Nan Green.

I have given the information as it appears on the tables, although not in tabular form. Note that the tables were dated 14 April so there could have been changes in detail. The table gives vehicle parties since each vehicle had a landing card with a number of personnel on it. Usually these are crew but need not be.

JUNO
2 RMASR.

Mike Green. H Hour.
3 Battery.

Serial 1008. LCT(A).
2 RMASR.
2 Tanks Centaur. 10 men vehicle party (crew)
5 men (ammunition handlers)
Space for additional ammunition.

HQ RCE 3 Canadian Infantry Division (Special Bulldozer Increment).
2 D7 Bulldozer Armoured. 4 men vehicle party.

18 Canadian Field Company RCE.
1 Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep). 3 men vehicle party.
11 men.
1 Truck Airborne.

‘A’ Company Kings Regiment. Beach Group.
8 men.

Serial 1009. LCT(HE).
2 RMASR.
2 Tanks Centaur. 10 men vehicle party (crew)
5 men (ammunition handlers)
Space for additional ammunition.
1 Sherman. 5 men vehicle party.

HQ RCE 3 Canadian Infantry Division (Special Bulldozer Increment).
2 D7 Bulldozer Armoured. 4 men vehicle party.

18 Canadian Field Company RCE.
13 men.
1 Truck Airborne.

‘A’ Company Kings Regiment. Beach Group.
12 men.

Serial 1010. LCT(V).
HQ RCE 3 Canadian Infantry Division (Special Bulldozer Increment).
4 D7 Bulldozer Armoured. 8 men vehicle party.

18 Canadian Field Company RCE.
24 men.
1 Truck Airborne.

Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
3 Carriers Mortar. 6 men vehicle party.
9 men.



Mike Red.
Serial 1011. LCT(HE).
2 RMASR.
2 Tanks Centaur. 10 men vehicle party (crew)
5 men (ammunition handlers)
Space for additional ammunition.

HQ RCE 3 Canadian Infantry Division (Special Bulldozer Increment).
4 D7 Bulldozer Armoured. 8 men vehicle party.

5 Canadian Field Company RCE.
24 men.
1 Truck Airborne.

‘B’ Company Kings Regiment. Beach Group.
12 men.

Serial 1012. LCT(A).
2 RMASR.
2 Tanks Centaur. 10 men vehicle party (crew)
5 men (ammunition handlers)
Space for additional ammunition.
1 Sherman. 5 men vehicle party (crew).
1 Carrier Universal. 2 men vehicle party.

‘B’ Company Kings Regiment. Beach Group.
6 men.



Nan Green.
Serial 1013 LCT(CB).
6 Canadian Armoured Regiment.
2 Sherman Vc (Firefly). 8 men vehicle party.

Serial 1014. LCT(A).
2 RMASR.
2 Tanks Centaur. 10 men vehicle party (crew)
5 men (ammunition handlers)
Space for additional ammunition.

HQ RCE 3 Canadian Infantry Division (Special Bulldozer Increment).
2 D7 Bulldozer Armoured. 4 men vehicle party.

5 Canadian Field Company RCE.
13 men.
1 Truck Airborne.


Serial 1015. LCT(HE).
2 RMASR.
2 Tanks Centaur. 10 men vehicle party (crew)
5 men (ammunition handlers)
Space for additional ammunition.
1 Sherman. 5 men vehicle party (crew).

HQ RCE 3 Canadian Infantry Division (Special Bulldozer Increment).
2 D7 Bulldozer Armoured. 4 men vehicle party.
.
5 Canadian Field Company RCE.
1 Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep). 3 men vehicle party.
11 men.
1 Truck Airborne.

Serial 1016. LCT(HE).
2 RMASR.
2 Tanks Centaur. 10 men vehicle party (crew)
5 men (ammunition handlers)
Space for additional ammunition.

5 Royal Berkshire Regiment. Beach Group.
6 men.


Serial 1016. LCT(HE).
2 RMASR.
2 Tanks Centaur. 10 men vehicle party (crew)
5 men (ammunition handlers)
Space for additional ammunition.
1 Sherman. 5 men vehicle party.

5 Royal Berkshire Regiment. Beach Group.
12 men.



Nan White.
4 Battery.
Serial 1416. LCT(A).
2 RMASR.
2 Tanks Centaur. 10 men vehicle party (crew)
5 men (ammunition handlers)
Space for additional ammunition. 50 rounds.
Tow Porpoise MkII.

HQ RCE 3 Canadian Infantry Division (Special Bulldozer Increment).
2 D7 Bulldozer Armoured. 4 men vehicle party.
.
5 Canadian Field Company RCE.
13 men.

5 Royal Berkshire Regiment. Beach Group.
6 men.


Serial 1417. LCT(A).
2 RMASR.
2 Tanks Centaur. 10 men vehicle party (crew)
5 men (ammunition handlers)
Space for additional ammunition. 50 rounds.
Tow Porpoise MkII.
1 Sherman. 5 men vehicle party.

5 Royal Berkshire Regiment. Beach Group.
12 men.


Serial 1418. LCT(HE).
2 RMASR.
2 Tanks Centaur. 10 men vehicle party (crew)
5 men (ammunition handlers)
Space for additional ammunition. 50 rounds.
Tow Porpoise MkII.
1 Sherman. 5 men vehicle party.

HQ RCE 3 Canadian Infantry Division (Special Bulldozer Increment).
2 D7 Bulldozer Armoured. 4 men vehicle party.


5 Canadian Field Company RCE.
1 Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep). 3 men vehicle party.
11 men.
1 Truck Airborne.

Serial 1419. LCT(HE).
2 RMASR.
2 Tanks Centaur. 10 men vehicle party (crew)
5 men (ammunition handlers)
Space for additional ammunition. 50 rounds.
Tow Porpoise MkII.

HQ RCE 3 Canadian Infantry Division (Special Bulldozer Increment).
4 D7 Bulldozer Armoured. 8 men vehicle party.
.
5 Canadian Field Company RCE.
1 Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep). 3 men vehicle party.
25 men.


Serial 1420. LCT(CB).
10 Canadian Armoured Regiment.
2 Sherman Vc (Firefly). 8 men vehicle party.

23 Beach Recovery Section REME.
1 BARV. 6 men vehicle party.

Nan Red.
4 Battery.
Serial 1421. LCT(HE).
2 RMASR.
2 Tanks Centaur. 10 men vehicle party (crew)
5 men (ammunition handlers)
Space for additional ammunition. 50 rounds.
Tow Porpoise MkII.

HQ RCE 3 Canadian Infantry Division (Special Bulldozer Increment).
4 D7 Bulldozer Armoured. 8 men vehicle party.
.
5 Canadian Field Company RCE.
24 men.

Serial 1422. LCT(HE).
2 RMASR.
2 Tanks Centaur. 10 men vehicle party (crew)
5 men (ammunition handlers)
Space for additional ammunition. 50 rounds.
Tow Porpoise MkII.
1 Sherman. 5 men vehicle party.

HQ RCE 3 Canadian Infantry Division (Special Bulldozer Increment).
2 D7 Bulldozer Armoured. 4 men vehicle party.

5 Canadian Field Company RCE.
1 Car 5cwt 4 X 4 (Jeep). 3 men vehicle party.
11 men.

Serial 1423. LCT(A).
2 RMASR.
2 Tanks Centaur. 10 men vehicle party (crew)
5 men (ammunition handlers)
Space for additional ammunition. 50 rounds.
Tow Porpoise MkII.
1 Sherman. 5 men vehicle party.

5 Royal Berkshire Regiment. Beach Group.
12 men.

Serial 1424. LCT(A).
2 RMASR.
2 Tanks Centaur. 10 men vehicle party (crew)
5 men (ammunition handlers)
Space for additional ammunition. 50 rounds.
Tow Porpoise MkII.

HQ RCE 3 Canadian Infantry Division (Special Bulldozer Increment).
2 D7 Bulldozer Armoured. 4 men vehicle party.
.
5 Canadian Field Company RCE.
13 men.

5 Royal Berkshire Regiment. Beach Group.
6 men.

Mike

 

Also some other thoughts.

The 'Canadian flag'. The red/white/red sign is a standard RAC recognition sign carried by all armoured vehicles at one time. It was replaced by the star in 21 Army Group but older vehicles still displayed it.

It is possible that the 'rockets' could have been LCA(Hedgerows). These should have approached with the LCTs carrying the Breaching Teams and fired a salvo of rockets up the beach. This would be about the time Centaurs were landing (preferably just before).

If this is the photo referred to as looking like a Sherman without a gun it is in fact an M10 SP AT gun with the turret reversed. This might suggest that it is in fact an 'Achilles' 17pdr version. It travelled with the gun to the rear because it was long and vulnerable.



Interesting about vehicles intended for Gold landing on Juno Danny. I have not reached Gold yet.

I don't know if we are answering the original query but I am finding out a lot.

Mike

 

A couple of well known photos of 2RMASR:

the first is supposed to have been shot at Courseulles:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photosnormandie/2120702218/
(right click the photo to get to the original large size)

whereas the second is on NAN RED West of St Aubin, which fits the Battery Number '4'. Unfortunately the tank name is not readable:


Finally a Sherman of 2 RMASR at Bernières. The LTIN '1422' is clearly visible, and a name, probably not the tank name but the co-driver's girlfriend's, can be seen on the hood, maybe 'LENA':


Michel

 

Mike, ​

​

Thanks for this. Would it be premature to assume, then, that Dad was in serial 1424 (LCT(A) - being the only LCT(A) in 4th Btty on Nan Red to carry two Centaurs and two D7 Bulldozers (and no Sherman)? He doesn't recollect any other vehicles on his craft such as a 4x4, so it seems to fit. At the risk of opening a whole other can of worms (and giving you even more work, which I don't want to do) is there any way of matching the LTIN with the bow number on the LCT(A). I've read this is something of an arcane art.

Michel, ​

I'd not seen the photo of "Virgin' Sherman before. The photo of the Centaur at Courseulles is exactly like my father's with, porpoise (he detached his on the beach), the high exhaust cowling and the box around the Signaller's hatch, but no w/p skirt. ​

​

Danny, ​

V interesting to read of the 1RMASR Centaurs on Juno.Is it known if Lt. Bircher was decorated for this action?
​

 

Serial No. 1424 was listed as being LCT(A) 2014 of 103 LCT(A)/(HE) Flotilla, 2 Support Squadron:
http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayEcopies&lang=fre&rec_nbr=3202203&rec_nbr_list=3202203&title=A+Landing+Craft+Tank+%28LCT%29+bringing+casualties+out+to+H.M.C.S.+PRINCE+DAVID+from+the+Normandy+beachhead%2C+France%2C+6+June+1944.+&ecopy=a143844-v6

What do you mean by "Virgin" Sherman? Is it because it still has its gun muzzle cover on ?

All Centaurs had the same deep wading gear and towed porpoises with extra ammo.

Michel

 

Frank,

I did not like to suggest it but yes I would conclude that Serial 1424 (LCT 2014) was the one from which your father landed. Even taking account of all the usual ifs and buts, qualifications and reservations it seems the most likely. It was also the extreme left hand, easterly, craft to land on Juno. Sword was some miles further on.

Disappointingly I cannot find an aerial view of this part of the coast. There are many of Courseulles, a few of Bernieres but not of St Aubin.

Mike.

 

Hi,
Frank,
Lt. Bircher was awarded the Military Cross. Date of announcement in the London Gazette was 29th August 1944. He was a Captain by then.

Mike,
A bit of drift from the original question but it has certainly been interesting and added plenty of information on the RMASG.

Attached is a composite photo I put together showing Nan Red in the late 1940s and another photo taken a bit later. Top half was taken in 1947 and the bottom half was probably taken around 1947/1950. I have marked where Michel’s Centaur photo was taken. The house received a few rounds from an AVRE Petard at one stage and was demolished after the war.

Regards

Danny

 

Well done Danny.

Is this Nan Red? From 'Above the Battle' but titled Bernieres. From maps it looks like Nan red to me.



Mike.