History of the 10th

1939 - 1969

Bibliography

The Tenth Royal Hussars in the Second World War

Compiled under the Direction of a Committee of Officers

Chairman: Brigadier D Dawnay D.S.O.

Gale & Polden Ltd. 1948

1939

Colonel V. J. Greenwood Succeeds Colonel Viscount Hampden As Commander. The regiment cannot join the BEF because it is very under-equipped therefore the Tenth moved to Newmarket in November where training continues. Officers here also enjoy good shooting and become regulars to the horse training stables. Bitterly cold winter proves hard even in their billets.

1939

1940 January

The 1st Armoured Division released from East Coast defence, and the regiment moved to Wimborne, taking part in a divisional exercise on the way, spending a night at Dunstable in the bitter cold. On arrival at Wimborne the regiment was dispersed , and the tanks and transport was slowly built up to war scale.

1940 January

May

On the 21st May at 1600 hrs the Regiment sailed in s.s. Amsterdam and s.s. Vienna for Le Havre but mid-journey this was changed to Cherbourg as the former was reported to have fallen to the enemy. Several of the 2-pounder guns for the cruiser tanks were still in crates and are fitted on arrival. The Tenth trained from Cherbourg to Pacy being ready to move north by 1900 hrs. Ordered to attack the German position near Huppy, in order to establish a bridgehead over the Somme, the regiment was instructed to advance at 0500hrs with the Bays on their right and a preceding artillery barrage from French guns a few minutes before. The Tenth started the advance at 0500 hrs as ordered, but no artillery was fired, and the Bays were delayed by one hour. The Tenth therefore were attacking a well-entrenched enemy on their own and several tanks were lost. Every attempt at attack was met with heavy anti-tank fire, damaging many tanks. The enemy lines were penetrated by some 600 yards but to hold the ground was not possible. Late in the day orders were received to withdraw to Ramburelles. This day saw a loss of two Officers killed, two Officers taken POW, six O.R. killed, nine missing and seven wounded. On the 31st May the regiment moved back to Les Hogues.

May

1940 June

It now appeared that the 1st Armoured and 51st Highland divisions were the only British troops still in France, the B.E.F. having been moved to Dunkirk and most evacuated. The Tenth had no tanks but began reorganising into lorried infantry. June 7th withdrew to a position south Of The Seine. After several small skirmishes the Tenth were ordered to take and hold the bridge at El Beuf, and keep it open for the 9th Lancers to retire. On the 9th June at 0115 hrs the bridge was blown. The town of Louviers was then defended for a few hours on the 9th June until the regiment, with the 9th Lancers were driven back. At 0100 hrs on June 15th orders to move to Brest were received. By 1800 hrs on June 16th the Regiment was within fifteen miles of Brest having travelled near 250 miles. On the 16th June the Tenth embark onto the Manxmaid for Plymouth. 4 Officers and 17 O. R. Killed, 5 Officers and 3 O. R. wounded and 32 O. R. captured. Move To Wiltshire.

1940 June

1940

Training And Anti-Invasion Duties. June sees Lt.-Colonel C. B. Harvey Appointed To Command. The regiment made several trips for exercise and training to the rivers Rother and Aran in Sussex for defence purposes because of the rising threat of invasion.

1940

1941

In the spring of 1941 Winston Churchill, with Generals de Gaulle and Sikorsky witness a mock tank battle on Thursley Common, and a fine display of "cavalry dash" was given. Anti-invasion measures were continued throughout the early summer in 1941.

1941

1941 Oct

The Regiment sailed, as part of the 1st Armoured Division to the Middle East, embarking on the City of Paris at Greenock, in a huge convoy of liners, merchantmen and naval escorts. The route was into the mid-Atlantic, to avoid the enemy, and via Cape of Good Hope to Egypt. Time was used to train in the use of the sun compass and equitation of time by the sun and stars. The convoy called at Cape Town and Durban where they were made most welcome. It arrived at Aden on November 3rd where a last Regimental Polo match was enjoyed. The City of Paris then moved on to Port Tewfik (Suez) arriving at 1530 hrs. on the 27th November, and the Tenth disembarked, entraining to the Western Desert camp at Amartya, a dust-ridden spot near Alexandria.

1941 Oct

1941 Dec

After 16 days of completing the equipment at Amartya the Tenth moved their tanks by desert railway to Mesa Mutruh where the wheeled vehicles joined and started the 400 mile treck westward with about 150 tanks. Crossing the wire fence at the Egyptian boarder to Cyrenaica, all the time enhancing the regiment's navigation abilities. In the days after Christmas "B" Company 1st Rifle Brigade, "B" Battery, 11th R.H.A. and a troop of the 76th Anti-Tank Regiment formed the Tenth Hussars Regimental Group.

1941 Dec

1942 Jan

The trek towards Trabruk started early in the new year. Pausing at Bir Harman to replenish stores and then on, following the old camel highway towards Trish el Abd into scrub country, catching up with the forward troops of the Eighth Army at Antelat. During this movement H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester sent us a message "Many best wishes and good hunting in 1942 --- HENRY" Arriving at Antelat we joined Headquarters, XIII Corps, the 7th Armoured division and the 27th Armoured Bridge. The enemy, under Rommel, had now retreated round the Aphelia corner behind the salt marshes. On the 12th January the supporting riflemen and gunners were taken away to form a raiding columned were replaced by inexperienced South African anti-tank regiment. On the 21st January Rommel sudden pounced back with about 90 tanks and a mechanised column. Early on the 22nd the Tenth moved some thirty miles south into a depression know as Saunna where there was a workshop repairing tanks. A few miles south of Saunna at midday. the regiment was ordered to turn east towards the coast road to intercept the enemy. The Brigade "B" Echelons had moved into the Saunna Depression overnight and the enemy encountered them during the darkness; considerable damage was done to the workshops and tanks under repair but some 30 Italian prisoners were captured. On the 23rd the 9th Lancers encountered the Germans and the Tenth was ordered to their left flank, with the Tenth becoming the new advanced guard. Under a smoke screen the regiment advanced, firing, whilst under intense anti-tank fire, and several tanks were hit and disabled. The enemy them advanced with 14 tanks towards Brigade Headquarters and "A" & "C" squadrons were ordered to attack. It became apparent that our tank guns, at 2 pounders and 37mm, were of little use beyond 500 yards whilst the German 75mm guns were fatal at 1,000 yards. In the ensuing fight the Germans had seven tanks knocked out but our own casualties were crippling. "A" & "C" squadrons lost nineteen tanks, with six officers killed and 12 O.R. killed, and 20 O.R. wounded and 8 P.O.W. Many wounded were collected under enemy fire by the efforts of Major Wingfield ( "B" squadron), finding Major Milbanke and his crew badly wounded in their burning tank. The remaining tanks rallied and rejoined the Brigade the following morning. "B" squadron then made their way back to Headquarters on foot travelling under darkness having abandoned their broken down tanks. On the 24th some damage was sustained by an aerial attack but one Stuka was shot down by small arms fire. On the 29th January the regiment withdrew to Mekili, followed by a further withdrawal to behind the Gazala position to Bir Lara near Tobruk. For the action at Saunna Major ADR Wingfield was awarded the Military Cross, as was Cape. RA Archer-Shee. RSM Davis was awarded the DCM and Trooper Henry, the Military Medal.

1942 Jan

1942

The regiment was now withdrawn further back to Fort Capuzzo to retrain and refit. It was here that we first heard the supply to at least one squadron of the new General Grant American tank was eminent. "C" squadron was chosen and trailing undertaken when we had again moved to an area south of Gambut. The Tenth was inspected by Colonel-in-Chief, Lieut.-General HRH The Duke of Gloucester in April.

1942

1942 May

The Gazala Line was now well defended by "box" formations, including the Knightsbridge track junction. When the enemy advanced through this area the Tenth's part in the battle was heroic but short-lived. Moving forward on the 26th May when the enemy's advance was imminent the regiment, leading the 2nd Armoured Brigade, was ordered to turn west and engage a screen of 88mm anti-tank guns. This was carried out successfully. Heading south on the morning of the 28th "C" squadron with the Grant tanks engaged some anti-tank guns but found that to bring their 37mm guns to bear they had to expose much of the tank body resulting in several casualties. Major Lovett and "B" squadron then headed an attack on the guns with their Crusader tanks. Launching at 1100 hrs. the first wave drove straight through the enemy guns and 35 Germans surrendered to the second wave of tanks. Aiming to drive the enemy into our minefields the regiment turned west for three miles. Engaging with the enemy in late evening the sun in their sight-line meant that it blinded the commanders and drivers, and "A" squadron went deeper into the enemy lines than was intended and a heavy toll was taken. Lieut. Du Pree and his crew were killed, whilst Major Archer-Shee and his squadron were taken prisoner. On the 29th the regiment went into action again 400 yds from the Knightsbridge Crossing. Engaging enemy tanks at 0730 hrs the regiment battled all day and by 1600 hrs the Tenth had no tanks fit to fight. On the 30th May eight battle worthy tanks were scraped together and joined the Brigade for further action. The enemy has been held and it turned out that Rommel had a white flag ready the deploy. The remained of the Tenth then withdrew to the Alamein Line.

1942 May

July - Sept

Arrived at Bir Victoria, 40 miles north of Cairo on July 1st. to refit and retrain but were pushed forward on 7th July to the Alamein Line as each squadron was resupplied with tanks. Enemy attacked on the 31st August and 1st September but was beaten off at the Battle of Alam Halfa Ridge. General Montgomery assumes command of 8th Army bringing significant reinforcements. The enemy attacked in the south of the line on the 1st September. Following command confusion we withdrew with the enemy following closely. With aid from the 22nd Armoured Brigade the enemy was halted just before dark. On the evening of the 4th the regiment was attacked from the air and one vehicle was destroyed and two men wounded. Adjutant Capt. Greville Clark died after being struck by a ricocheted 88mm shot from the battle area some miles away.

July - Sept

1942 Oct

"A" & "C" Squadrons re-equipped with Sherman tanks. A Reconnaissance Troop was formed with 12 scout cars under Capt. G. A. Singer. H.Q. and "B" squadron remained equipped with Crusader tanks. October was spent learning about the layout of the enemy minefield and the passage through it as well as new gunnery techniques. Advance Under Fire; General Thoma, German Commander Captured. Lt-Colonel Archer-Shee Wounded. Major Wingfield Takes Command, Appointed Lt.-Colonel.

1942 Oct

Battle of Alamein

23rd October orders were recieved to prepare for battle that night. A deception that the main attack was to come in the south of the line diverted the enemy from the actual attack in the north. Tracks through minefields were laid by 2nd Rifle Brigade and 2nd Armoured brigade, with Lieut. Leigh's troop of "B" squadron being part of this force. The main regiment moved off at 2100 hrs. and at 2200 hrs the opening bombardment began. The infantry moved off at 2300 hrs. and at midnight the regiment passed through the gunnery area.

Battle of Alamein

1944

September 12th Regiment Support Attack By Ghurkas And Is Successful. Move To Ripa Blancha Ridge To Support Gurhkas Until Sept. 22nd, Crossing River Marrchia. Regiment Loose 3 Officers And 4 O. R. Killed, With 11 Officers And 12 O. R. Wounded.

1944

Octoober 18th Capture Of Cesena. Cross Cosina Canal November 19th. Cross River Marjeno Nov. 24th, And Assist In Crossing Lamone River December 4th.

1944

1945

January 16th Join 2nd Armoured Brigade. Fight Dismounted As Infantry And Machine-Gun Troops. Relieved March 2nd. April 3rd, Move To Ravenna. Heavy Action In April. Lt. W. G. Waugh And Sgt. W. Fairhill DCM Killed. May 2nd Hostilities In Italy Cease.

1945

History Timeline

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The Regiment was raised in Hertfordshire and surrounding counties by Brigadier Humphrey Gore in 1715, as the Tenth Regiment of Dragoons. This was in response to the Jacobite Rising. Mounts were to be no more than fifteen hands high. The Regiment never saw action against the Jacobites.

Law and revenue enforcement was the Regiment’s duty at home for the next 30 years. Pay for a Private was 1s 9p per day less the cost of food.

History Timeline

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Troopship HM Ismore Sinking in Paternoster Bay

Wreck of Troopship Ismore

No Lives Lost —- Supposed Drowning of Many Horses

The Secretary of the Admiralty states that information has been received from the Commander-in-Chief at the Cape of Good Hope, dated December 3^rd, reporting that the transport Ismore struck on the rocks off Columbine Point, near St Helen’s Bay, distant about 75 miles north of Table Bay, in calm, thick weather. The troops had been landed, also a quantity of baggage, most of the guns, swords, carbines and some ammunition. The men were reported to be comfortable and plenty of food available. The Admiralty was sending HM ships Niobe and Doris, also the transport Columbine, with lighters to assist.

A copy of a telegram has been received from the principal transport officer at Cape Town, dated the 4^th inst., reporting that the transport Ismore (no 52.)broke up on Sunday night. Her stern is out of water and her bows gone. All hands and 20 horses were saved and will probably entrain to Malmesbury. The Ismore, which went ashore in Helen’s Bay on Sunday morning is the second transport that has come to grief on the voyage to the Cape the Persia having been disabled in a storm at St Vincent while conveying the C Squadron of Dragoons and some men of the Inniskillings on November 8^th. In the latter case all the troops and horses were successfully transferred to the transport Goth, but in the case of the Ismore a large number of the horses were lost. She had on board the 63rd Field Battery, Royal Artillery from Bristol, “A” Squadron of the Tenth Hussars and a troop of “B” Squadron of the Tenth Hussars from Aldershot, and No. 9 Company (Bearer) Royal Army Medical Corp from Colchester. The military details would necessarily have with them a considerable number of horses, for the mounted troops on board number 460. As only 20 horses were reported saved, it is feared that the loss of animals is serious, inasmuch as they would not be3 of the chartered class, but selected trained chargers and gun-teams. The value placed upon such animals by military authorities is very considerable, and the loss will be much keenly felt by reason by the dearth of suitable and reliable mounts and gun-teams at the front.

It is too be hoped that the troops will be able to save the six field pieces, if not the wagons and other pieces of the Field 63^rd Battery, but nothing is said as to this being effected.

The presence of warships at the scene of the wreck may have been valuable in this respect, assuming that the position of the wreck and weather permitted the sufficiently near approach of the working parties who would have the advantage of the necessary appliances for transferring the guns. The time at the disposal of those on the spot between the hours of the vessel sinking and breaking up to save much other than themselves would seem to have been very limited, and therefore it cannot be hoped that any considerable proportion of the vessel’s war stores can have been saved. It is known that with the troops were landed some guns, swords, carbines etc. and ammunition; but the bulk of Ismore’s cargo cannot have been landed in the time available. It will be remembered that the Ismore endeavoured to leave England in a gale, and after futile attempts took shelter in Moelfre Bay on the Anglesey coast until November 8^th, when she put to sea four days late.

The Ismore had on board 400 rank and file of various sections. The 63^rd Field Battery consisted of six officers, 170 men and 140 horses, with six 15 pounder guns 11 four-wheeled military vehicles, ambulance wagons, and stores. The Bearer Company of the Royal Army Medical Corps on board consisted of one officer and 52 men, with ambulance wagons and fittings. The A squadron and troop of B squadron of the Tenth Hussars on board numbered about 180 officers and men. There were altogether about 250 horses shipped, together with numerous wagons and vehicles. Major W Paget is the officer commanding the Field battery , and Major Alexander the Hussars.

The Press Association added that 230 valuable horses have been lost to the British cavalry and artillery proceeding to the front by the wreck of the Ismore. It is scarcely possible that the numerous ambulance wagons and other vehicles referred to in the above telegram can have been saved owing to the difficulties of transfer, and consequently one of the most important non-combative branches of the military service has lost probably their conveyance and medical equipment and supplies.

From the Glasgow Herald 3^rd December 1889

By kind Permission of the British Library Board.