Research Members of 43 Wessex Reconnaissance Regiment, B Squadron
The Regiment’s B squadron was a front-line fighting reconnaissance unit. The role of B 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.
Fortunately for B squadron, they were not aboard the MT-72 Derrycunihy which was blown up on the morning of 24th June 1944, having anchored off Sword beach for two days due to bad weather. As the engines finally started, the ship was blown in two by an Oyster mine which had been dropped by the Luftwaffe overnight. A more detailed account can be read here.
B Squadron sailed for Normandy Monday Jun 26th 1944, a week after A,C and HQ squadrons had left on the Derrycunihy, which was mined and blown up on the morning of Saturday Jun 24th.
At Eastbourne, unaware of the Regiment’s misfortune, Major Carter was astonished on Saturday evening, June 24th, to receive orders to move his Squadron to the Marshalling Area on the 26th June. The Squadron was rapidly assembled and during the night vehicles were packed and loaded. On the following morning (Sun Jun 25) the Squadron drove to Gosport [*]. None of the vehicles were waterproofed, but on arrival in the assembly area orders were received to waterproof at once. Major Carter successfully contested this instruction, which was cancelled at the last moment. B Squadron spent the night in the marshalling area and the following morning (Mon Jun 26) embarked in a [Landing Craft Tank] L.C.T. and a [Landing Craft Ship] L.S.T. During the crossing they heard some rumours of the Regiment’s disaster, and the full story when they moved into harbour at Poulingy on the 28th.
From Harry Free’s account,
“When we arrived at Arromanches [Mulberry Harbour and hence, cancellation of the waterproofing order], we disembarked and went to a field a short way from the beach. It was a hot sunny day — some soldiers even went back to the beach for a swim in the sea.”
A few keys facts about B squadron include,
- B Squadron was, throughout the North-West European Campaign, commanded by Major Tom Carter
- Lt Desmond Scarr (later Major) became 2IC B Squadron, from mid Oct 1944, when he was promoted to Captain.
- Known crews
- Lt Desmond Scarr (commander), Unknown (driver), Tpr Straw (gunner)
- Link to John Hempsall diary…
- More to add
* Gosport embarkation points, for tanks and support vehicles destined for Normandy, were loaded at Hards G1 to G4 of Stokes Bay. From 1942 onwards, the whole of the Bay became a restricted area, as secret work went on, and detailed preparations were made. Source: https://www.gosportheritage.co.uk/gosport-during-ww2/