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Reconnaissance Corps

{{Infobox military unit

|unit_name=The Reconnaissance Corps

|image=Recce Corps.jpg

|image_size=250px

|caption=Cap badge of the Reconnaissance Corps, 1941

|dates=1941–1946

|country={{flag|United Kingdom}}

|branch={{army|United Kingdom}}

|type=

|role=Military reconnaissance

|size=

|garrison=

|ceremonial_chief=

|colonel_of_the_regiment=

|nickname= The Reccies
The Recce Corps

|motto= "Only The Enemy In Front"

|colors=

|march=

|mascot=

|battles=

|notable_commanders=

|anniversaries=

}}

{{redirect|Reconnaissance regiment|the military establishment within Imperial Japanese Army in the 1940-1945 period|Reconnaissance regiments (Japan)}}

The Reconnaissance Corps, or simply Recce Corps, was a service branch of the British Army, formed during the Second World War, whose units provided reconnaissance for infantry divisions. It was formed from infantry brigade reconnaissance groups on 14 January 1941.

All the brigade reconnaissance groups of each infantry corps were formed into reconnaissance battalions, each usually bearing the number of its relevant division. For example, the 43rd Battalion, Reconnaissance Corps (based on the 5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment) was the divisional reconnaissance battalion of the 43rd (Wessex) Division.[http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-england/vinf-so/gc-5.htm Mills, T.F. Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth] 5th Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment page. Retrieved 26 November 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071129035027/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-england/vinf-so/gc-5.htm |date=November 29, 2007 }}

Initially, coming from infantry units, reconnaissance units used the infantry designations of battalions, companies and platoons. However, from 6 June 1942, the Corps changed to the cavalry descriptions of regiments, squadrons and troops.{{cite web|url=http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/cav/recce.htm |title=Reconnaissance Corps (UK) |work=Regiments.org |year=2013 |access-date=7 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051226121606/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/cav/recce.htm |archive-date=December 26, 2005 }}

The Corps became part of the Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) in 1944, still maintaining its own cap badge with two lightning strikes supporting an upright spear. With the end of the war, this number of reconnaissance units was not needed and the Reconnaissance Corps was disbanded in August 1946. Reconnaissance duties reverted to regular armoured units of the RAC.

Organisation and equipment

File:The British Army in the United Kingdom 1939-45 H25279.jpg of the 52nd Reconnaissance Regiment of the 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division, Scotland, 10 November 1942.]]

The Reconnaissance Corps was charged with gathering vital tactical information in battle for infantry divisions, probing ahead and screening the flanks of main advances. The training centre was established at Winchester in February 1941, until the home of the Corps moved to Catterick in Yorkshire. Although the Corps was raised from various regular army units, it did not follow that all men would be retained, as potential reconnoiterers were required to take an IQ test and other tests before being accepted. Many failed and were sent to normal infantry battalions, but those who succeeded enjoyed the kudos of belonging to an elite unit and were determined to prove their own worth. Before beginning training with his unit, each man undertook a five-week course with technical units, which determined his role as a driver, wireless operator or mechanic. Most recce men became efficient in two of these roles e.g. driver and operator. During training with a reconnaissance unit, emphasis was placed on both aggressiveness and initiative, as these were the characteristics expected of the men selected for such units, and, as a result, a proud offensive spirit was created, similar to other newly founded units such as The Parachute Regiment. Reconnaissance regiments were organised into a headquarters squadron (including anti-tank, signals and mortar troops) and three reconnaissance (or "recce") squadrons. Each recce squadron comprised three scout troops and an assault troop. Scout troops were equipped with Bren Gun Carriers and light reconnaissance cars, such as the Humber Light Reconnaissance Car. The assault troops were composed of lorried infantry and were called up when enemy resistance needed to be overcome. Later in the war, more efficient and well-armed armoured cars such as the Humber Armoured Car, Daimler Armoured Car, Staghound and Greyhound augmented the light reconnaissance cars in scout troops.[http://www.britishsoldier.com/logistic.htm A British Soldier Remembers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607144544/http://www.britishsoldier.com/logistic.htm |date=2007-06-07 }} The Logistics of a Recce Regiment (organisation and vehicles pages).

Units

File:Recce unit sign 41.png

File:The British Army in Italy 1944 NA15482.jpg flag in Littoria, Italy, 25 May 1944. They are, from left to right: Corporal H. Seddon, Trooper R. Carslake and Trooper J. Callaghan.]]

The following units served in the Recce Corps:Frederick, pp. 11–2.

  • 1st Reconnaissance Regiment formed January 1941 in the 1st Infantry Division from the Hampshire Regiment.{{cite web |url= http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/1st.htm |archive-url= https://archive.today/20121223234921/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/1st.htm |archive-date= December 23, 2012 |title=1st Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead|year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013}}
  • 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment formed April 1941 in the 2nd Infantry Division, mainly from the 6th Battalion, Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire), the division's motorcycle battalion.Joslen p. 39.Doherty, British Reconnaissance Corps, pp. 51–4.
  • 3rd (Royal Northumberland Fusiliers) Reconnaissance Regiment formed April 1941 in the 3rd Infantry Division, from the 8th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, the division's motorcycle battalion.Joslen, p. 43.{{cite web |url=http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/3rd.htm |title=3rd (RNF) Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead |year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013 |archive-date=21 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621120003/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/3rd.htm }}{{cite web|url=http://regiments.org/deploy/uk/vol-inf/nd-4w.htm |title=4th Bn, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers: war services |year=2013 |access-date=7 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051227003035/http://regiments.org/deploy/uk/vol-inf/nd-4w.htm |archive-date=December 27, 2005 }}
  • 4th Reconnaissance Regiment formed January 1941 mainly from the anti-tank companies of the 10th, 11th and 12th Brigades of the 4th Infantry Division.{{cite web |url=http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/4th.htm |title=4th Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead |year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013 |archive-date=23 December 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223130346/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/4th.htm }}
  • 5th Reconnaissance Regiment formed February 1941 in the 5th Infantry Division from the 3rd Battalion, Tower Hamlets Rifles.{{cite web |url= http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/5th.htm |archive-url= https://archive.today/20121224065430/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/5th.htm |archive-date= December 24, 2012 |title=5th Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead|year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://houterman.htmlplanet.com/Recce.html |title=Reconnaissance Regiments RAC 1939-1945 |year=2013 |access-date=7 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060906211734/http://houterman.htmlplanet.com/Recce.html |archive-date=6 September 2006 }}
  • 11th (East African) Reconnaissance Regiment formed May 1943 in the 11th (East Africa) Division by conversion of the Kenya Armoured Car RegimentJoslen, p. 121.
  • 15th Scottish Reconnaissance Regiment formed February 1943 in the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division from the 15th, 45th and 54th Independent Reconnaissance Squadrons.{{cite web |url=http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/15th.htm |title=15th (Scottish) Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead |year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013 |archive-date=23 December 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223131414/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/15th.htm }}
  • 18th Reconnaissance Battalion formed in the 18th (East Anglian) Infantry Division from the 5th Battalion, Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire); surrendered at Singapore 1942.Doherty, British Reconnaissance Corps, pp. 9, 51.
  • 38th Reconnaissance Regiment formed October 1943 in the 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division from the 47th, 38th and 55th Independent Reconnaissance Squadrons; disbanded October 1944, number taken by 80th (Holding) Reconnaissance Regiment.{{cite web |url= http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/38th.htm |archive-url= https://archive.today/20121223055352/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/38th.htm |archive-date= December 23, 2012 |title=38th (Welsh) Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead|year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013}}
  • 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment formed from 5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment transferred to the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division from the 48th (South Midland) Infantry Division November 1941; lost 'A' and 'C' Sqns through the sinking of the Motor Transport Ship T72 (the Derrycunihy) off Sword Beach on 24 June 1944; one replacement squadron received from the 161st Reconnaissance Regiment.{{cite web |url=http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/43rd.htm |title=43rd (Wessex) Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714182554/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/43rd.htm |archive-date=14 July 2014 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/161st.htm |title=161st (Green Howards) Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521032005/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/161st.htm |archive-date=21 May 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-england/vinf-so/gc-5.htm |title=5th Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment |year=2013 |access-date=7 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060117223651/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-england/vinf-so/gc-5.htm |archive-date=January 17, 2006 }}Ellis Vol I, p. 275.
  • 44th Reconnaissance Regiment formed January 1941 in the 44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division from the 7th Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment; transferred to 56th (London) Infantry Division in 1943, but retained number.{{cite web |url=http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/44th.htm |title=44th Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead |year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013 |archive-date=23 December 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223120251/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/44th.htm }}
  • 45th Reconnaissance Regiment formed January 1941 mainly from the 134th, 135th and 136th Brigade Anti-Tank Companies of the 45th Infantry Division; transferred to 70th Infantry Division in August 1942; formed 45 and 54 Columns of the Chindits;{{harvnb|Bellis|1994|p=33}} converted to infantry and redesignated as the 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment in October 1944.{{cite web |url=http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/45th.htm |title=45th Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead |year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013 |archive-date=23 December 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223204542/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/45th.htm }}
  • 46th Reconnaissance Regiment formed July 1941 in the 46th Infantry Division from the 23rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and the 137th, 138th and 139th Brigade Anti-Tank Companies.{{cite web |url= http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/46th.htm |archive-url= https://archive.today/20121223125936/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/46th.htm |archive-date= December 23, 2012 |title=46th Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead|year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013}}

File:The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 BU4144.jpgs of the 49th Reconnaissance Regiment are welcomed by Dutch civilians on the outskirts of Kampen, 19 April 1945.]]

File:The British Army in the United Kingdom 1939-45 H23577.jpg

  • 53rd Reconnaissance Regiment formed January 1941 from the 158th, 159th and 160th Brigade Anti-Tank Companies of the 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division.{{cite web |url=http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/53rd.htm |title=53rd (Welsh) Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead |year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013 |archive-date=23 December 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223085508/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/53rd.htm }}
  • 54th Reconnaissance Battalion formed July 1941 in the 54th (East Anglian) Infantry Division from the 21st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers; split into the 45th, 54th and 76th Independent Reconnaissance Squadrons in November 1941.{{cite web |url= http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/54th.htm |archive-url= https://archive.today/20121223091948/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/54th.htm |archive-date= December 23, 2012 |title=54th Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead|year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013}}
  • 56th Reconnaissance Regiment formed January 1941 from the 167th, 168th and 169th Brigade Anti-Tank Companies of the 56th (London) Infantry Division; transferred to the 78th Infantry Division, but retained its number.{{cite web |url= http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/56th.htm |archive-url= https://archive.today/20121223194450/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/56th.htm |archive-date= December 23, 2012 |title=56th Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead|year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013}}

File:The British Army in Italy 1943 NA8814.jpg

  • 59th Reconnaissance Regiment formed January 1941 in the 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division; disbanded 31 August 1944.{{cite web |url= http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/59th.htm |archive-url= https://archive.today/20121223064713/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/59th.htm |archive-date= December 23, 2012 |title=59th Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead|year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013}}Ellis Vol I, pp. 453 & 530.
  • 61st Reconnaissance Regiment formed September 1941 from the 182nd, 183rd and 184th Brigade Anti-Tank Companies of the 61st Infantry Division; transferred to the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division; disbanded December 1944.{{cite web |url=http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/61st.htm |title=61st Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead |year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013 |archive-date=23 December 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223110539/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/61st.htm }}
  • 63rd Reconnaissance Training Centre formed January 1942, absorbed Reconnaissance Training Centre (formed January 1941) in August 1943.{{cite web |url=http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/trng.htm |title=The Reconnaissance Training Centre |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223152450/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/trng.htm |archive-date=23 December 2012 }}
  • 80th (Holding and Training) Reconnaissance Regiment formed January 1943 from the 48th, 76th and 77th Independent Reconnaissance Squadrons, attached to the 80th Infantry (Reserve) Division;Joslen, p. 103. renumbered 38th Reconnaissance Regiment October 1944.{{cite web |url= http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/80th.htm |archive-url= https://archive.today/20121223125525/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/80th.htm |archive-date= December 23, 2012 |title=80th Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead|year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013}}
  • 81st (West African) Reconnaissance Regiment formed in the 81st (West Africa) Infantry Division.{{cite web |url= http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/81st.htm |archive-url= https://archive.today/20121223081606/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/81st.htm |archive-date= December 23, 2012 |title=81st (WA) Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead|year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013}}
  • 82nd (West African) Reconnaissance Regiment formed in the 82nd (West Africa) Infantry Division.{{cite web |url= http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/82nd.htm |archive-url= https://archive.today/20121223082352/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/82nd.htm |archive-date= December 23, 2012 |title=82nd (WA) Reconnaissance Regiment |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead|year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013}}
  • 161st Reconnaissance Regiment converted from the 161st Regiment Royal Armoured Corps (formerly 12th Battalion, Green Howards) October 1943; attached to the 55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Division from December 1943 to July 1944,Joslen, p. 90. then supplied replacements, including a complete squadron to the 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment in July 1944. Attached to the new 45th Infantry Division in September 1944.Joslen, p. 73.
  • 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry converted from an armoured car regiment of the Royal Armoured Corps and assigned to the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division.{{cite web |url=http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/2dy.htm |title=2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |url-status=dead |year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013 |archive-date=23 December 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223113952/http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/2dy.htm }}{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-england/vcav/derby.htm |title=The Derbyshire Yeomanry (UK) |year=2013 |access-date=7 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219213612/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-england/vcav/derby.htm |archive-date=December 19, 2007 }}
  • 6th Armoured Airborne Reconnaissance Regiment formed in 6th Airborne Division{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/wf-cav/recce-ab.htm |title=Reconnaissance Corps: Service of Airborne Units |year=2013 |access-date=7 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519123224/http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/wf-cav/recce-ab.htm |archive-date=May 19, 2006 }}Ellis Vol I, p. 527.
  • GHQ Liaison Regiment (Phantom).{{cite web |url= http://www.recce.adsl24.co.uk/regts/phantom.htm |title= The G.H.Q. Liaison Regiment "Phantom" |work=The Reconnaissance Corps website |year=2009 |access-date=7 May 2013}}{{deadlink|date=September 2023}}Ellis Vol I, p. 523.

Independent reconnaissance squadrons

Those infantry divisions placed on a lower establishment in December 1941 only required an independent reconnaissance company/squadron; some independent brigades had a similar reconnaissance unit.Joslen, pp. 41, 58, 65, 73, 77, 89, 90, 99, 100, 101, 269, 333.

File:QDGflash.jpg is identical to the badge of the Reconnaissance Corps, except for the absence of the ribbon bearing the Corps' name]]

See also

Notes

{{Reflist|2}}

References

{{refbegin}}

  • {{cite book |last=Bellis |first=Malcolm A. |year=1994 |title=Regiments of the British Army 1939–1945 (Armour & Infantry) |publisher=Military Press International |location=London |isbn=978-0-85420-999-6}}
  • {{cite book |last1=Doherty |first1=Richard |author-link1=Richard Doherty |title=Only The Enemy in Front (Every other beggar behind...): The Recce Corps at War 1940-1946 |date=1994 |publisher=Tom Donovan |location=London |isbn=978-1-871085-18-1}}
  • {{cite book |last1=Doherty |first1=Richard |last2=Chapman |first2=Rob |title=The British Reconnaissance Corps in World War II |date=2007 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |location=Oxford |isbn=978-1-84603-122-9 |name-list-style=amp}}
  • {{cite book |last1=Ellis |first1=L.F. |title=The Battle of Normandy |series=History of the Second World War |volume=Victory in the West, Vol.I |date=1962 | publisher=HM Stationery Office |location=London |isbn=978-1-84574-058-0}}
  • {{cite book |last1=Ellis |first1=L.F. |title=The Defeat of Germany |series=History of the Second World War |volume=Victory in the West, Vol.II |date=1968 | publisher=HM Stationery Office |location=London |isbn=978-1-84574-059-7}}
  • J.B.M. Frederick, Lineage Book of British Land Forces 1660–1978, Vol I, Wakefield: Microform Academic, 1984, ISBN 1-85117-007-3.
  • {{cite book |last1=Howard |first1=Roy |title=Beaten Paths are Safest: From D-Day to the Ardennes. Memories of the 61st Reconnaissance Regiment |date=2004 |publisher=Brewin Books |location=Studley |isbn=978-1-85858-256-6}}
  • {{Joslen-OOB}}
  • {{cite book |last1=Parlour |first1=Andy |last2=Parlour |first2=Sue |title=Phantom at War |date=2004 |publisher= Cerberus Publishing Ltd. |location=Bristol |isbn=978-1-84145-118-3}}
  • {{cite book |last1=Ryan |first1=Cornelius |author-link1=Cornelius Ryan |title=A Bridge Too Far |date=1974 |publisher=Hamish Hamilton |location=London |isbn=978-0-340-19941-1}}
  • {{cite book |last1=Taylor |first1=Jeremy L. |title=This Band of Brothers: A History of the Reconnaissance Corps of the British Army |date=1947 |publisher=White Swan Press |location=Bristol |oclc=14952752}}
  • {{cite book |last1=Tee |first1=Ronald Arthur |title=A British Soldier Remembers: The World War II Reminiscences of Ronald Arthur Tee |date=2001 |publisher=Epic Press |location=Belleville, Ontario |isbn=978-1-55306-277-6}}

{{refend}}

External links

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20051228103659/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/index.htm Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20130416112914/http://recce.adsl24.co.uk/ The Reconnaissance Corps website]

Category:British administrative corps

Category:Army reconnaissance units and formations

Category:Military units and formations established in 1941

Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1946