A View from the Turret: A History of the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment in the Second World War - Hardcover

Close, Bill

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0953335909 ISBN 13: 9780953335909

Publisher: Dell & Bredon, 1998

Synopsis

This is the story of the exploits of the 3rd battalion Royal Tank Regiment during World War II as seen through the eyes of one of its most experienced tank commanders.

The 3rd RTR had a remarkable war. Its baptism of fire came in 1940 during the heroic defence of Calais where, unfortunately, after withstanding six days of continuous siege, almost three-quarters of its personnel was either killed, wounded, or 'put in the bag'. All its tanks and vehicles were lost. Some 250 officers and men were able to slip away and get back to England.

In November 1940, re-fitted and back to strength in personnel, the battalion was sent to North Africa and figured in most of the desert battles. In early 1941 just after starting out on General Wavell's first desert advance, the battalion was withdrawn from the line and sent to Greece. There, after some four months of active service in the North, where its tanks were neither strong enough or numerous enough to stop the onslaught of the German divisions, the remnants finally collected themselves in the glades of Gliphda and Daphne near Athens, prior to evacuation. All its tanks and vehicles were again lost, and only some 200 officers and men of the battalion eventually landed back in Egypt, after various adventures.

Once again made up to strength in both personnel and tanks, the battalion played a considerable part in the bloody fighting at Sidi Resegh, Bir Hackeim and Knightsbridge. It led in part the advances to Agedabia and Msus, and back to Alamein. It took part in the famous 'Left Hook' battle with the New Zealanders, making a considerable contribution to the success of the battle and subsequent forcing of the Gabes Gap and the Mareth line, and the entry into Tripoli.

Following the desert battles and marches through Agedabia for the second time and the ignominious retreat back to Alamein, the battalion enjoyed a period of rest and recuperation in the Delta.

The battalion played its part in the El Alamein battle, once again receiving heavy casualties, but went on with success at Alam Halfa and Gazala and the final advance to Enfidaville.

3RTR enjoyed great success with the 11th Armoured Division, taking a major part in operations 'Epsom', 'Goodwood', the liberation of Amiens and capture of the bridge over the Somme. It led, again in part, the epic advance and capture of Antwerp and the final slog to the Baltic.

Sadly, the battalion is no more, having been amalgamated with the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment.

About this title

Review

"A view from the Turret is a marvellous account of leadership at the front. How lucky 3RTR and a Squadron were to have him. How lucky are those of us who have heard his Goodwood story. How lucky we all are that this outstanding soldier has now put his experiences on paper." -- Brigadier Christopher Dunphie

About the Author

The author has a distinguished war record. Having served throughout the Second World War with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment.

He joined the Royal Tank Corps as a Trooper in 1933, and was posted to 3rd RTR in ]934. where he held every non-commissioned rank up to Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant before being commissioned in the field in 1942

He was the survivor of eleven direct enemy hits, which on each occasion forced him to bale out of as many tanks. He was wounded three times. but not seriously As a troop sergeant with 3rd RTR he took part in tile heroic defence of Calais. He came of age as a resourceful tank commander and experienced Squadron commander in the North African campaign and took part in a succession of desert battles, including Sidi Resegh 1941, Operations .Crusader', Battle Axe', 'Bir Hackeim', 'Knightsbridge'. .Alam Halfa', 'El Alamein', 'Tel El Agir', .El Agheila' 'Agedabia', then the famous 'Left Hook' battle at Mareth with the New Zealanders culminating in the final advance to Enfidanville.

He took part in the Normandy battles, embracing 'Operation Epsom' and the battle for Hill 1l2. He commanded one of the leading Squadrons of 3RTR in the major battle of Normandy, 'Operation Goodwood' and thence the race across France and the Low Countries, taking in the liberation of Amiens and the capture of a bridge over the Somme, the liberation of Flers.

He was to be in the leading Squadron on numerous occasions in the epic advance and seizure of Antwerp, and was involved in the heavy fighting in Germany until the Baltic was reached.

On retirement he filled the post of Assistant Bursar at Bryanston School for three years before taking up the post of Manager at Racal Redac for a further twelve years before retirement in 1979.

He attended Staff College Battlefield Tours as a speaker for many years giving accounts of battle experiences in North West Europe. He is married with three sons and a daughter.

Edition details

• Publisher: Dell & Bredon
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0953335909
• ISBN 13: 9780953335909
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 167