Equipment of 1st Field Regiment, RCHA, Brest, 1940

[Chris Wilcox]

It is my understanding that the 1st Field Regiment, RCHA that landed in France in 1940 took their 18/25 pounder howitzers with them and brought all of them back to England.

Is it also correct to assume that these guns were towed by Ford FAT-1 with No. 11 Cab (7A2 Body) and Trailer, artillery no. 27? If not, what did they use to tow their guns?

[John McGillivray]

According to “The Gunners of Canada” by G.W.L. Nicholson, the guns that 1RCHA took to France in June 1940 were new 25 pounders. The three field Regiments of 1st Canadian Division had being equipped with 18/25 pdrs. The first 25pdr came off of the production lines in April 1940, with 8th Army Field Regiment, RCA being the first to receive the new guns. They had received their full complement of 24 guns by early June. Before going to France 1RCHA exchanged guns with 8th Army Fd Regt. and therefore became the only Regiment to go to France with the 25pdrs, and not the 18/25 pdrs.

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by Chris Wilcox
It is my understanding that the 1st Field Regiment, RCHA that landed in France in 1940 took their 18/25 pounder howitzers with them and brought all of them back to England.

Is it also correct to assume that these guns were towed by Ford FAT-1 with No. 11 Cab (7A2 Body) and Trailer, artillery no. 27? If not, what did they use to tow their guns?

Hi Chris;

Although not a very good photo, this is the road party of the 1st Field Regiment, R.C.A. (redesignated: 1st Field Regiment, R.C.H.A. - Effective 1 Jan 41) at dockside Brest, France, in June 1940, awaiting orders to move to the front.



Source: RCHA-RIGHT OF THE LINE, An Anecdotal History of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery From 1871, by Major G.D. Mitchell, MC, CD (RCA, Retired).

Hope this helps.

Cheers

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I am pretty certain from memory that the only vehicle to come back was a Ford Station Wagon. The 50 Ford F15s which I conject were the only CMPs were of course lost, but thank goodness as a result of 'persuasion' and perserverence all the guns came back. I would be interested to see hard evidence of anf CMP Gun Tractors having been assembled in Southampton (and Dagenham) and actually issued to the 1st Division by June 1940. The Ministry of Supply were of course consistent in their belief up until the Fall of France in the ability of British industry to supply the Canadian forces, as well as the AIF and NZEF in the UK at the time...we needed to sell vehicles for hard cash to purchase food with, and also spend in the USA. By 25th June that had all changed and "our man in Ottawa" had placed those first orders for Canadian vehicles.

[CMandville]

Originally Posted by John McGillivray

According to “The Gunners of Canada” by G.W.L. Nicholson, the guns that 1RCHA took to France in June 1940 were new 25 pounders. The three field Regiments of 1st Canadian Division had being equipped with 18/25 pdrs. The first 25pdr came off of the production lines in April 1940, with 8th Army Field Regiment, RCA being the first to receive the new guns. They had received their full complement of 24 guns by early June. Before going to France 1RCHA exchanged guns with 8th Army Fd Regt. and therefore became the only Regiment to go to France with the 25pdrs, and not the 18/25 pdrs.

Hi Guy's, I have with the help of mark on the forum been to Kew UK and read the Diarys, Thats not what they say. the did borrow one 25 pdr from the 8th Fd in april 40 for an inspection by HM the King. but it went back. the 1RCHA took 18/25 & 25pdrs to brest lost one Gun in a road traffic accident mixed up with refugees and replaced it before returning to the uk.

Reagrds
Cliff
www.thegarrison.org.uk