Let's compare: The SAR and the Polish 10th MRR

[Crewman]

Hello All,

Originally posted by Witek Cis³ak
Crewman, one correction.
10th Mounted Rifles Regiment used Crusader III AA Mk II ( 6 pcs.) in anti aircraft platoon, not M16 Half Track.
Best Regards
Witek Cis³ak

Yes, you are right. Writing his book Mr. Solarz did not read Mr. Magnuski's book. Ehhhh, those Polish authors, you know Witek what I mean…

Normandy period TOEs for both regiments ought to be:

South Alberta Regiment
▪ Sherman Mk. V -- 55
▪ Crusader III AA Mk. II -- 7
▪ Stuart Mk. VI -- 11
▪ M14 Half Track -- 9
▪ Sherman Mk. V ARV -- 3
▪ Humber Scout Car Mk. I -- 8

10th Mounted Rifles Regiment
▪ Cromwell Mk. IV -- 55
▪ Crusader III AA Mk. III -- 6
▪ Stuart Mk. VI -- 11
▪ M9A1 Half Track -- 7
▪ Cromwell ARV -- 3
▪ Humber Scout Car Mk. I -- 8

Originally posted by Mark W. Tonner
In the case of 10th Mounted Rifles Regiment, I seem to remember something about them not wanting the 'Firefly', deciding instead to await the delivery of the Challenger, which with the regiment being Cromwell equipped, made maintenance easier. I'll see if I can find the exact reference to this.

Mark, this is interesting information and unknown in Poland. I would say that The History knows much better what we need and when. In the 10th Regt. history it would be hard to find more desirable period for 17-pound guns than closing the Falaise Gap between August 19th and 21st near Chambois. By the way, the same goes for the SAR that fought a mile or two away. I would be very thankful for the reference to this info about the 10th regiment that they did not want the Fireflies.

Originally posted by John McGillivray
If I remember correctly, the SAR did not have Fireflies in Normandy. They only received their first Fireflies in Sept. 1944.

Originally posted by Mark W. Tonner
Hi John;

Your right, SAR did not receive their first 17pdr 'Firefly' until September 1944. I forgot to mention to Gregory, that the TOE of the South Alberta Regiment he was using to compare to that of the 10th Mounted Rifles, is dated 'November 1944'.

Cheers

Yes, the first SAR's Fireflies can be seen at Bergen on September 28th.

September 1944 TOEs for both regiments:

South Alberta Regiment
▪ Sherman Mk. V -- 43
▪ Sherman Mk. IC and/or Mk. VC Firefly -- 12
▪ Crusader III AA Mk. II -- 7
▪ Stuart Mk. VI -- 11
▪ M14 Half Track -- 9
▪ Sherman Mk. V ARV -- 3
▪ Humber Scout Car Mk. I -- 8

10th Mounted Rifles Regiment
▪ Cromwell Mk. IV – approx. 50
▪ A30 Challenger Mk. I – approx. 4
▪ Crusader III AA Mk. III -- 6
▪ Stuart Mk. VI -- 11
▪ M9A1 Half Track -- 7
▪ Cromwell ARV -- 3
▪ Humber Scout Car Mk. I -- 8

To sum up the SAR's advantage over 10th MRR begins since September 1944 because:
▪ the first two Challengers 10th Regt. received on August 26th but they had top secret status and were not operational, for training only;
▪ between September 21st and November 10th the regiment received nine A30 Challenger Mk. Is but on November 4th two of them were destroyed near Den Hout.
▪ full number of 12 Challengers the regiment had late February or early March 1945;
▪ and one more very important factor -- it is not a secret that the Polish 1st Armoured Division was not Generals Montgomery, Crerar and Simonds' "dream team". September 1944 TOE for 10th MRR is pure theory. Indeed long months the regiment did not receive then neither spare parts nor new AFVs. That is why it was necessary then to convert heavily damaged Stuarts into turretless variant. The regiment was also forced to reorganize itself for much smaller number of the tanks and other vehicles.


Thanks for your participation!

C.