Research the members of 43 Wessex Reconnaissance Regiment, A Squadron

The Regiment’s A squadron was a front-line fighting reconnaissance unit. The role of A squadron was to probe ahead of Wessex infantry and the allied front lines. When enemy was encounted, they would actively engage unless resistance proved too strong. The other vital activity was to report back to HQ squadron the position and strength of enemy. This information was quickly relayed to Division, and where necessary, also used to accurately concentrate additional fire from Royal Artilliary or allied air-power, in close coordination with Recce patrols.

In support and expansion of the Normandy invasion beach-head, the entire 43rd Reconnaissance regiment – excepting B squadron – sailed from Tilbury, London on the transport ship MT-72 Derrycunihy. It’s understood that A squadron was mainly within hold 5. On the morning of 24th June 1944, having anchored off Sword beach for two days due to bad weather, and as the engines finally started shortly after 7am; the Derrycunihy was blown in two by an Oyster mine, dropped by the Luftwaffe overnight. A more detailed account can be read here.

As a consequence of this disaster, the regiment suffered huge losses of 189 men killed, with further 102 wounded. This day delivered the greatest casualty list of any regiment in the British Army, claiming around 45% of all men with a single action. For A squadron, this meant particularly heavy losses. Shortly after, two officers, Lt J. O. Charlton of A Squadron, and Lt W. D. Cammel, of C Squadron, were wounded when a shell struck the “Cap Tourain”, one of the rescue ships. The wounded were evacuated to England with a hospital ship.

After survivors reached the beaches, then over the following days, all salvagable vehicles and equipment were recovered to Sword beach and Lion-sur-Mer. A detailed account of what followed, and throughout the regiment’s European campaign, is available in the 1944-1945 Operations pages.

A few keys facts about A squadron include,

• A Squadron was commanded in Normandy by Major Gavin Scott-Plummer MC and later, in Germany, by Major Maurice P Hogben
• Major Gavin Scott-Plummer MC, became the regiment’s second-in-command (2IC) from Jan 45
• Major Maurice P Hogben took over A Squadron command (from TBC)
• Major Henn from May 45, previously HQ squadron
  
• Sgt Pavey ws originally A Sqdn, escaped DerryCuhihy. He was re-assigned to C squadron in subsequent consolidation
  
• Known crews
  • Sgt Eddie Phillips (commander), Harry Free (driver), Unknown (gunner)
  • Lt Clibbery (commander), Tpr Mason (driver), Cpl Hall (gunner)