The 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment’s three fighting squadrons (A, B and C) typically operated as mounted troops in fast, light, armoured vehicles. Their rigorous training, vehicle agility and moderate fire-power, allowed effective operations in support of the other divisional units; exposing and engaging enemy positions, while reporting the live situation back to Regimental and Divisional Headquarters. Where overly strong resistance was encountered, indirect fire from mortars, artillery and aircraft could be rapidly brought to bear to deliver overwhelming fire-power. Explore the 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment’s WW2 actions.
Each of 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment’s three fighting squadrons operated 60+ armoured vehicles.
Armoured cars (HAC, LRC and later DAC) had a crew of three: Driver, Gunner and Commander. Most reconnaissance was carried out while mounted but crew members could dismount if the situation required to complete their assigned tasks.
Carriers typically have a crew of four: Driver, Gunner and two crew. A Carrier Section (of three carriers) could generate a dismounted infantry section of six to eight men, with the carriers in support.
Halftracks in the Assault Troops each carried an infantry section capable of engaging, assaulting the enemy together with taking and holding ground until handed-over to the infantry battalions of the division.
The fighting Squadron’s were supported by HQ Squadron and a wide range of Motorcycles, Lorries, Jeeps and other vehicles and weapons including 3″ Mortars and towed 6-pounder (57mm) Anti-Tank Guns.
Probably the two most significant weapons employed by the 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment were an effective, vehicle mounted wireless communications network, based on the Wireless Set No.19 (WS19) that allowed the rapid passage of information coupled with the tenacious attitude of the reconnaissance troops to persist with their mission of gathering and disseminating information not only critical to the ongoing battle by exploiting tactical opportunities but to allow informed planning of future phases.
The 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment Living History Group, restore, maintain, operate and display many of the vehicles types originally used by the 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment during WW2.
These include:
The Humber Armoured Car (HAC) is a 3 man, lightly armoured, wheeled reconnaissance vehicle armed with an American supplied 37mm main gun with a coaxially mounted BESA (7.92mm) belt fed medium machine gun in a two man operated, enclosed turret. Plus two turret front-mounted 4″ Smoke Dischargers. A BREN (0.303″) light machine gun was also carried, together with crew personal weapons. Selectable 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive in either low or high ratio.
Manufactured in the United Kingdom.
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The Humber Light Recce Car (LRC) is a 3 man, lightly armoured, wheeled reconnaissance vehicle armed with a BREN (0.303″) light machine gun housed within a small, open one-man turret. A single hull-front mounted 4″ Smoke Discharger although some vehicles had a second 4″ Smoke Discharger on the turret-side, Crew personal weapons were also carried. Early LRCs were also armed with a Boys (0.55″) anti-tank rifle. Selectable 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive in a single ratio.
Manufactured in the United Kingdom.
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The Daimler Armoured Car (DAC) is a 3 man, lightly armoured, wheel reconnaissance vehicle armed with a British manufactured 2-pounder (40mm) main gun, with a coaxially mounted BESA (7.92mm) belt fed medium machine gun in a two man operated, enclosed turret. Plus two turret-side mounted 4″ Smoke Dischargers. Crew personal weapons were also carried. Selectable 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive in a single ratio.
Manufactured in the United Kingdom.
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The Universal / Bren carrier, is an agile, lightly armoured, tracked vehicle armed with a BREN (0.303″) light machine gun and a single hull-side mounted 4″ Smoke Discharger. A 2″ Mortar and crew personal weapons were also carried. Employed in a variety of roles including infantry section, 3″ Mortar, 6-pounder anti-tank gun towing, carrying up to 9 individuals.
Manufactured in Canada and the United Kingdom.
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The M5 and M9 half-track is a spacious, lightly armoured, semi-tracked troop carrier, used in a variety of roles: Command Vehicle (CV), casualty evacuation Ambulance, Assault Troop transport and support Fitters. Mostly unarmed except for the passengers personal weapons but some acquired Browning (0.50″) Heavy Machine Guns.
Manufactured in America.
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The Group don’t have a half-track. Do you have one? Might you like to help us fill this important gap? Please get in touch !
The Humber Scout Car is an sporty, 2 man, lightly armoured reconnaissance and liaison vehicle armed with one or two BREN (0.303″) light machine guns. In permanent 4 wheel drive. A third individual can be squeezed in if required.
Manufactured in the United Kingdom.
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The Daimler ‘Dingo’ Scout Car is a small, 2 man, lightly armoured, wheeled reconnaissance and liaison vehicle armed with a BREN (0.303″) light machine gun. 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment did not use Dingoes during WW2, other reconnaissance units did, and some may have been issued for ‘peace-keeping’ operations in Germany in 1945.
Manufactured in the United Kingdom.
The Morris Light Reconnaissance Car, is a lightly armed, 3 man, wheeled reconnaissance vehicle armed with a BREN (0.303″) light machine gun gun and Boys (0.55″) anti-tank rifle mounted either forward or to the rear of the 2 nearside hatches. 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment did not use Morris LRCs during WW2 but many would have been seen within units of 43rd (Wessex) Division.
Manufactured in the United Kingdom.
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The 1943 Willys Jeep is an unarmoured utility vehicle. Normally with a crew of two, but many more men could be carried in the rear, and a trailer could be towed. Widely used in many different roles including mounting a Wireless Set No19 (WS19) enabling mobile communications (the same radio as fitted to the Regiment’s Armoured Fighting Vehicles). 630,000 Jeeps were made by Willys and Ford. All were
manufactured in America, and supplied directly to all allied forces. This vehicle was delivered to the British Army in Jan 1944.
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The Royal Enfield WD/CO/B saw service with all 3 armed services being principally used for road communication and convoy escort duties owing in part to the fact that it had poor ground clearance compared to other makes of machines and the underneath of the engine was not protected by way of a plate or shield.
Manufactured in the United Kingdom.
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The Royal Enfield WD/CO/B was introduced into War Office service in 1942 as a replacement for the earlier WC/C 350cc side valve engine machines.
Manufactured in the United Kingdom.
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The Matchless G3L – 1944 was a result of a decision in 1940, by the War Office, who were determined to reduce the weight of military motorcycles and several manufacturers supplied machines for evaluation. The response from Matchless was a development of the pre-War G3WO model, already then in military service.
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