The Second World War

Private soldier 1/6th Bn The East Surrey Regiment. Enlarge Image

The 1939-45 War resolves itself into three main phases: The BEF’s campaign in France and subsequent withdrawal culminating in the Dunkirk evacuation, the defence of the homeland, highlighted by the aerial Battle of Britain and the final overseas assaults and battles which resulted in victory. Territorials, as full members of the Army, were involved in all three.

'Give us a light mate', a reinforcement for one of the Queen's battalions, Anzio, Italy. Enlarge Image

In the early months of the war the expected air attacks did not materialize. The only land sphere of activity was in France where the British Expeditionary Force soon landed and, judging by earlier experience of the First World War, prepared fortified positions and dug trenches. But this was to be a different type of war-one of high mobility and “blitzkrieg” attack as the British soon found to their cost in 1940. One Territorial formation, the 51^st (Highland) Division were speedily surrounded at St Valery and captured after fierce fighting. As some British units made for the coast others fought gallant rearguard actions to enable the main bodies to get away. In one such stand Territorials of the Queen Victoria’s Rifles kept the enemy at bay for four days at horrendous cost to themselves. At Warneton near the Belgian-French border the Kent Yeomanry, in an artillery role and supported by the 3^rd Battalion Grenadier Guards, held the line against German attacks until finally ordered to withdraw.

Overseas campaigns for British forces in 1940 and 1941 were disastrous, resulting in withdrawals and defeats in France, Greece, Crete, the Middle East and later the Far East.

Cpl R B Pass of 1/5th Queen’s with Frank Gillard the BBC commentator. Cpl Pass was selected to broadcast on behalf of 21st Army Group prior to the Kings broadcast on Christmas Day 1944. A pre-war territorial he had served in every major operation of the war. This photo was taken during his broadcast from a slit trench a few hundred yards behind the front line. Tragically Cpl Pass was killed in the final fighting round Hamburg. He was one of the batalions last casualties. Enlarge Image

At home the country prepared itself for an hourly expected invasion. Coastal defences, many manned by Territorial units, were strengthened while the anti-aircraft batteries now came into their own, throwing up ferocious barrages of fire by day and by night against marauding enemy aircraft. As time wore on the spirit of defence gave way to the spirit of attack and the war was taken to the enemy in many spheres. In North Africa, after a long and arduous campaign, Rommel and his Afrika Corps were finally defeated.

At the decisive battle of El Alamein the Yeomanry were in varied roles. The Yorkshire Dragoons fought as lorried Infantry, the County of London Yeomanry were in tanks while the Derbyshire Yeomanry were in armoured cars. The depleted Royal Gloucestershire Hussars were used as reinforcements for other regiments.

The Desert warfare was followed by hard and bitterly fought entry into Italy where weather and terrain were enemies as well as the opposing forces. Wherever there was fighting there were Territorials. When the 8^th and 9^th Royal Fusiliers captured Monte Camino their medical officer was killed and other casualties had to be carried seven miles down a mule track to the nearest vehicle post. A strongly defended monastery in the area was captured by the 2/5^th Queen’s.

Men of 2/5th Bn Queen's Royal Regiment on leave, Cairo. Enlarge Image

Bitter fighting against a cruel and ruthless enemy took place in Burma and the Far East where Territorial soldiers found themselves under attack from climate, insects, germs, animals and reptiles as well as lurking and infiltrating Japanese. It was at Kauchaw, Burma, that a gallant Territorial, Lieutenant Alec George Horwood 1/6^th Bn The Queen’s, att’d 1^st Bn The Northamptonshire Regiment gained his Victoria Cross. But it was into France that the final campaign had to be launched. The Armies who stormed ashore on D-day contained Regulars, Territorials and Reservists alike, all with one aim and objective in view - Victory. Their gallantry and heroism as they fought their way across the country are remembered in many towns and villages to this day. In one town, Villers Bocage, the feats of the 4^th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) were commemorated by the naming of one street Rue Sharpshooters in 1978.

The 1939-45 Star		The Atlantic Star		The Africa Star		The Pacific Star		The Burma Star
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The Italy Star		The France and Germany Star		The Defence Medal		The War Medal
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The Second World War Campaign Medals Ten campaign medals/stars were awarded for the Second World War. Nine bars/emblems were awarded and sewn on the appropriate medal ribbon. No individual was awarded more than one bar or emblem to any one campaign star, nor was he entitled to wear more than one emblem on any one of the star ribbons when the ribbon only was worn. The Air Crew Europe campaign medal is NOT illustrated above. Members of the Regiment were eligable for those medals and stars shown above.

Final defeat of Germany was attained in May 1945 and of Japan in August. While serving in Germany during the period of occupation The Royal Gloucestershire Hussars provided a touch of colour at the Schloss Schonbraun Tattoo when they appeared in full ceremonial dress, mounted on fine horses and with swords.

1/6th Queen's enter Tobruk. Enlarge Image

As the guns fell silent in the various theatres of war the Territorials anticipated and prepared for return to their peace-time roles. Fighting, it seemed, was now all over and many campaign ribbons proudly adorned Territorial chests, often accompanied by Territorial Decorations and Efficiency Medals.

But the rattle of firearms was not completely silenced. Territorials were involved in security and peace-keeping operations in Palestine during the post-war emergencies which preceded the ending of the mandate in 1948. The 2/7^th Bn of The Middlesex Regiment, en route from Syria to Palestine, were involved in heavy fighting between French and rebel Syrian Forces at Qadem Railway Station on the outskirts of Damascus. The tempers of the Diehards were not improved when they found themselves under “friendly fire” of French armoured forces who believed them to be rebels.