6th South African OOB January 1944 - May 1945

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6th South African OOB January 1944 May 1945
6th South African Armoured Division OOB
January 1944 May 1945
By J.C von Winterbach, Scott Sutherland, and Rex Barret.
Order of Battle from January 1944 August 1944 (Part of
British Formations - III Corps, Eighth Army, 1st Canadian
Corps, XIII Corps)
6th South African Armoured Division
(Formed on February 1st, 1943)
Headquarters, 6th South African Armoured Division Maj. Gen. W.H.E. Poole, DSO, MID
Headquarters, SAA Col. J.N. Bierman, CBE
Headquarters, SAEC Lt. Col. K.T. Gilson, DSO
Headquarters, SAEC Corps Troops Lt. Col. J. Scott, MBE, DSO
Headquarters, SA Roads Group Lt. Col. G.B. Weale, MBE, OBE
Headquarters, Airfield Construction Group Lt. Col. H. Mill-Colman. OBE
Headquarters, Railway Construction Engineers Col. W.H. Evans, OBE, CBE
Headquarters, Tunnelling Detachment, MEB Maj. L.D. Browne, MBE, OBE
Railway & Harbours Composite Railway-Operating Company Lt. Col. W.A. Swanepoel
Headquarters, SACS
Headquarters, Q Services
Headquarters, T Services
Headquarters, Divisional Reserve Group
Divisional Infantry
Royal Durban Light Infantry (RDLI), SAIC Lt. Col. C. Metcalfe (CIC)
(Brigade Support Group)
o A Company
Platoon 1 (6x Vickers Machine-Guns with 3t Lorries)
o B Company
o C Company
Platoon 7 (6x 4.2 Mortar with Morris 15 cwt Trucks)
o D Company (Formed May 25th, 1944 & Joined on June 26th, 1944)
74th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA Lt. Col. A.C Long, MID (CIC) (Attached to 12th South African Motorized
Infantry Brigade)(Converted to Infantry) (Joined on 25 August 1944 & Withdrawn on 28 September 1944)
o A Company
3x Platoons with 3t Lorries (Rifle/LMG)
o B Company
o C Company
o D Company
o S Company
1x AT Platoons (6x OQF 6-pdr Guns with Bedford QLT 3t Lorries)
1x Mortar Platoon (6x 3 Mortars with Morris 15 cwt Trucks)
4th Battalion (Wildes) 13th Frontier Force Rifles - ? (CIC) (Attached to 11th South African Armoured Brigade)
(Indian Motorised Infantry Battalion) (Joined on 18 August 1944 & Withdrawn on 13 January 1945)
o A Company
CHQ with Jeeps / White Scout Cars
o B Company

o C
Company


o D
Company

o S Company
3x AT Platoons (12x OQF 6-pdr with or without 3t Lorrie Portee)
2x MMG Platoon (8x Machine-Guns with MMG Carriers)

1x Mortar Platoon (6x 3 Mortars in Morris 15 cwt Trucks, with 2 OPs in Universal
Carriers)
1x Reconnaissance Platoon (9x Universal Carriers)
Recce
Natal Mounted Rifles (NMR), SAAC Lt. Col. R.D. Jenkins, DSO (CIC)
(ex 3rd Armoured Recce Battalion) (Strong Contingent of Rhodesians)
o A Squadron
SHQ Daimler Dingo ACs / White Scout Cars, 2x Sherman ARV
3x Troops of 2x Sherman V, 2x Stuart V Jalopy

1x Platoon with Stuart V Jalopies (Rifle/LMG) (ex 1/12th LAA Regiment SAA)
(Joined on 22 June 1944)
o B Squadron (Attached to 24th Guards Infantry Brigade)

o C Squadron

o S Company
1x AT Platoon (6x OQF 6-pdr Guns with Bedford QLT 3t Lorries)
1x Mortar Platoon (6x 3 Mortars with Morris 15 cwt Trucks)
Divisional Artillery
1/6 Field Regiment, SAA - Lt. Col. L.D. Kay, DSO (CIC) (KIA 21 October 1944) (Prince Alfreds Own Cape Field
Artillery)
o 1/16 Field Battery
BHQ - 1x Sherman V Armoured OP
A Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
B Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
o 3/17 Field Battery (Rhodesians) (ex Rhodesian 17th Field Battery)
C Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
D Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
E Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
F Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
4/22 Field Regiment, SAA Lt. Col. F.H. Harper (CIC) (ex Pretoria Highlanders & South African Irish)
o 7/64 Field Battery (Transvaal Horse Artillery)
BHQ Jeeps / White Scout Cars, 1x Sherman V Armoured OP, 2x Sherman ARV
A Troop 4x Sexton 25-pdr SP
B Troop 4x Sexton 25-pdr SP
BHQ - Jeeps / White Scout Cars, 1x Sherman V Armoured OP, 2x Sherman ARV
C Troop 4x Sexton 25-pdr SP
D Troop 4x Sexton 25-pdr SP
o 11/66 Field Battery (South African Irish)
BHQ - Jeeps / White Scout Cars, 1x Sherman V Armoured OP, 2x Sherman ARV
E Troop 4x Sexton 25-pdr SP
F Troop 4x Sexton 25-pdr SP
7/23 Medium Regiment, SAHA Lt. Col. H.H. Greenwood (CIC)
o 15/67 Medium Battery
BHQ - Staghounds I, 1x Sherman V Armoured OP
A Troop 4x BL 5.5 Medium Gun with AEC Matador Trucks
B Troop 4x BL 5.5 Medium Gun with AEC Matador Trucks
o 19/68 Medium Battery
C Troop 4x BL 5.5 Medium Gun with AEC Matador Trucks
D Troop 4x BL 5.5 Medium Gun with AEC Matador Trucks
1/11 Anti-Tank Regiment, SAA Lt. Col. G.D. Goodman (CIC)
o 1/22 Battery (Rhodesians) (ex Rhodesian 4th Anti-Tank Battery)
R Troop 4x OQF 17-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
S Troop 4x OQF 17-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
T Troop 4x OQF 6-pdr with Bedford QLT 3t Lorries
o 2/23 Battery (Attached to 12th South African Motorized Infantry Brigade)
BHQ - 2x Sherman ARV
4x M10 Grouse (3) SP Troop
4x OQF 17-pdr Troop with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
o 3/24 Battery (Attached to 11th South African Armoured Brigade)
o 4/25 Battery (Attached to 24th Guards Infantry Brigade)
1/12 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, SAAF Lt. Col. G.W. Meister (CIC)
o 1/7 LAA Battery
A Troop 6x QF Bofors 40mm with Morris 3t LAA Tractors
B Troop 6x QF Bofors 40mm SP
C Troop 6x QF Bofors 40mm with Morris 3t LAA Tractors
o 2/8 LAA Battery
D Troop 6x QF Bofors 40mm with Morris 3t LAA Tractors
E Troop 6x QF Bofors 40mm SP
F Troop 6x QF Bofors 40mm with Morris 3t LAA Tractors
o 3/56 LAA Battery
G Troop 6x QF Bofors 40mm with Morris 3t LAA Tractors
H Troop 6x QF Bofors 40mm SP
I Troop 6x QF Bofors 40mm with Morris 3t LAA Tractors
Engineers
1st Field Company, SAEC
8th Field Squadron, SAEC Maj. A.H. Rocyn-Jones, OBE (CIC) (Attached to 11th South African Armoured Brigade)
o SQHQ - Daimler Dingo ACs / White Scout Cars
RECCE - Daimler Dingo ACs / White Scout Cars
1/8 Troop with 3t Lorries
11th Field Company, SAEC
12th Field Squadron, SAEC Maj. R.M.M. Cormack (CIC) (Attached to 12th South African Motorized Infantry
Brigade)
17th Division Field Park Squadron, SAEC Maj. J.R. Dunbar-Sutherland (CIC)
22nd Corps Field Park Company, SAEC
25th Road Construction Company, SAEC
32nd Road Construction Company, SAEC
36th Water Supply Company, SAEC
36th Works & Construction Company, SAEC
38th Railway Construction Company, SAEC
41st Harbour Construction Company, SAEC
2nd Dock Operating Company, SAEC
3rd Dock Operating Company, SAEC
42nd Geological Survey Section, SAEC
43rd Water Treatment Section, SAEC
44th Water Maintenance Company, SAEC
46th Survey Company, SAEC
80th Engineer Base Workshops, SAEC
82nd Workshop & Park Company, SAEC
83rd Engineers Stores Base Depot, SAEC
85th Camouflage Company, SAEC
93rd Engineer Base Workshops, SAEC
94th Compressed Gas Depot, SAEC
23rd Anti-Gas Laboratory, SAEC
95th Bomb Disposal Company, SAEC
104th Water Boring Section, SAEC
106th Special Park Section, SAEC
112th Artisan Work Section , SAEC
157th Works Company, SAEC
61st Tunnelling Company, MEB
62nd Tunnelling Company, MEB
622nd Field Squadron, RE (Joined on 30 June 1944)
857th Quarrying Company, RE
Signals
6th Armoured Divisional Signal Squadron, SACS
6th Armoured Divisional Artillery Signal Squadron, SACS
14th Motor Brigade Signals Squadron, SACS
17th Armoured Brigade Signals Squadron, SACS
Medical Service
19th Field Ambulance, SAMC
6th Field Hygiene Unit, SAMC
6th Armoured Divisional Dental Unit, SAMC
6th Armoured Divisional Anti-Malaria Control Unit, SAMC
Provost
6th Armoured Divisional Provost Company, SACMP Maj. R. Dreyer (CIC)
66th Field Security Section
Postal Services
Division Postal Unit - Lt. N. H. Nye (CIC)
o 1st 44th Postal Unit, APO
Supporting Services
Q Services Corps (QSC)
o 55th Q Company, Q Services Corps
o 73rd Bulk-Breaking Platoon, Q Services Corps
o 74th Bulk-Breaking Platoon, Q Services Corps
o 136th Tank-Transporter Company, Q Services Corps
Technical Service Corps (TSC)
o 3rd Armoured Divisional Workshop, T Service Corps
o 11th Armoured Brigade Workshop, T Service Corps
o 10th Motorised Brigade Workshops, T Service Corps
o 14th Armoured Divisional 2 Line Transport Workshops, T Service Corps
o 6th Armoured Divisional Q & T Stores Field Park, T Service Corps
South African Ordnance Corps
South African Pay Corps
SA Intelligence Corps
DEOR/RLI Battalion (Duke of Edinburghs Own Rifles (DROR) & Rand Light Infantry (RLI) amalgamated on 12
August 1943 forming the DEOR/RLI)

o DEOR/RLI - Lt. Col. P.G.V. van der Byl, MC, MID (CIC) (1st South African Armoured Brigade)
(Replacement Battalion)
A Squadron (DEOR) (Provided Reinforcements for NMR)
B Squadron (DEOR) (Provided Reinforcements for RNC)
C Squadron (RLI) (Formed August 20th, 1943) (Provided Reinforcements for SSB)
Regiment Botha/Regiment President Steyn (RB/RPS) Lt. Col. A. S. Nel (CIC) (RB & RPS amalgamated on 9
August 1943) (1st South African Armoured Brigade) (Replacement Battalion)
Reserve Artillery Regiment, SAA - Lt. Col. (Sir) T.S.G. Foster (CIC)
o 1/6 Field Reserve Battery
o 7/23 Medium Reserve Battery
o 1/11 Anti-Tank Reserve Battery
o 1/12 Light Anti-Aircraft Reserve Battery
Reserve Armoured Regiment, SAAC
Reserve Motorised Regiment, SAIC
Reserve Field Squadron, SAEC
Reserve Signals Squadron, SACS
Reserve Q Company, Q Services Corps
Reserve Field Ambulance, SAMC
Reserve Workshop, T Service Corps
Reserve Company, Cape Corps
BRIGADES
11th South African Armoured Brigade Brig. J.P.A. Furstenberg, DSO (CIC) (Formed 8 February 1943)
Pretoria Regiment
(PR), SAAC
Lt. Col. A.H. Johnstone, DSO, ED (CIC)
(Prince Alices Own)
o RHQ 3x Sherman V, 1x Sherman VC
RECCE SHQ - 2x Stuart V Jalopy
3x Troops of 3x Stuart V Jalopy

A Squadron
(Rhodesians) (ex A Squadron Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment)
SHQ - 3x Sherman V, 1x Sherman VC, 2x Sherman ARV
4x Troops of 4x Sherman V
B Squadron
C Squadron
D Squadron
Prince Alfreds Guard
(PAG), SAAC
Lt. Col. J. Olsen (CIC)
A Squadron

B Squadron
(Rhodesians) (ex A Squadron Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment)
C Squadron
D Squadron
Special Service
Battalion (SSB), SAAC

- Lt. Col. C.E.G. Papa Britz, DSO (CIC)
A Squadron
2x Troops of 4x Sherman IIA
B Squadron

C Squadron
(Rhodesian) (ex A Squadron Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment)
D Squadron
Infantry
Imperial Light
Horse/Kimberley
Regiment (ILH/KimR),
SAIC

Lt. Col. R. Reeves-Moore, MC & Bar, DSO (CIC) (Motorised
Infantry Battalion) (ILH amalgamated with the 4/6th Armoured Car
Regiment & with KimR on 13 July 1943)
o BHQ
A Company
CHQ with M3, M5 - Half-Tracks/White Scout Cars
3x Platoons with 3t Lorries/M3, M5 - Half-Track (Rifle/LMG)
B Company
C Company
D Company (Formed August 1944)
S Company

3x AT Platoons (12x OQF 6-pdr with or without Bedford QLT 3t
Lorries Portee)

1x Mortar Platoon (6x 3 Mortars in Morris 15 cwt Trucks, with 2
OPs in Universal Carriers)
1x Reconnaissance Platoon (9x Universal Carriers
12th South African Motorized Infantry Brigade Brig. R.J. Palmer, DSO (CIC) (Formed 8 February 1943)
Royal Natal Carbineers
(RNC), SAIC

Lt. Col. M.P. Comrie, MC & Bar, MID (CIC) (Motorised
Infantry Battalion)
o BHQ
o A Company
CHQ with Jeeps/White Scout Cars
o B Company
o C Company
o D Company
o S Company

3x AT Platoons (12x OQF 6-pdr with or without Bedford
QLT 3t Lorries Portee)

1x Mortar Platoon (6x 3 Mortars in Morris 15 cwt Trucks,
with 2 OPs in Universal Carriers)
First City/Cape Town
Highlanders Regiment
(FC/CTH), SAIC

Lt. Col. O.N. Flemmer, MID (CIC) (Motorised Infantry
Battalion) (FC & CTH amalgamated on 5 October 1943)
o BHQ
o A Company
o B Company (Rhodesians) (Composed mainly of ex-Rhodesia Regiment)
o C Company
o D Company (ex Carrier & AT Personnel)
o S Company


Witwatersrand/De La Rey
Regiment (WR/DLR), SAIC

Lt. Col. J.B. Happy Jack Bester, DSO (CIC) (Motorised
Infantry Battalion) (WR & DLR amalgamated on 5 July 1943)
o BHQ
o A Company
o B Company
o C Company
o D Company
o S Company


24th Guards Infantry Brigade Brig. A.F.L. Clive, DSO, MM (CIC) (Joined on 20 May 1944)
1st Battalion, The
Scots Guards

Lt. Col. D.S Wedderburn, DSO (KIA 29 February 1944) / Lt. Col.
G.A.D Taylor, MC (KIA 26 June 1944) (CIC) (Motorised Infantry
Battalion)
o BHQ
o Right
Flank
Company

CHQ with Morris 15 cwt Trucks/White Scout Cars
3x Platoons with Morris 15 cwt Trucks (Rifle/LMG)

o B
Company

CHQ with 15 cwt Trucks/White Scout Cars

o C
Company


o Left
Flank
Company


o S
Company

3x AT Platoons (12x OQF 6-pdr with or without Bedford QLT 3t Lorries
Portee)

1x Mortar Platoon (6x 3 Mortars in Morris 15 cwt Trucks, with 2 OPs
in Universal Carriers)
3rd Battalion, The
Coldstream Guards
Lt. Col. W.A.G. Burns, DSO, MC (CIC) (Motorised Infantry Battalion)
o BHQ

o No.1
Company


o No.2
Company


o No.3
Company


o No.4
Company


o S
Company

Portee)

5th Battalion,
Grenadier Guards
Lt. Col. G.C. Gordon-Lennox, DSO (CIC) (Motorised Infantry Battalion)
o BHQ

o No.1
Company


o No.2
Company


o No.3
Company


o No.4
Company


o S
Company

Portee)

Artillery
23rd (Army) Field
Regiment, RA

Lt. Col. T.F.K Howard, DSO (CIC)
(Joined on 5 April 1944 & Withdrawn on 14 August 1944)

60 Field
Battery

A Troop with 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
B Troop with 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors

89 Field
Battery

C Troop with 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
D Troop with 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors

90 Field
Battery

E Troop with 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
F Troop with 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
Engineers
42nd Field
Company, RE

Maj. A. Morris / Maj. C.B. Stewart (CIC)
(SAEC Officer replaced Maj. A. Morris on 17 June 1944)
201st Guards
Brigade Workshop,
REME

(Joined on 13 March 1944 & Withdrawn on 31 August 1944)
Medical Service
226th Field
Ambulance, RAMC

(Joined on 21 April 1944 & Withdrawn on 14 August 1944)
Signals
550th Company,
RASC

Order of Battle from August 1944 May 1945 (Part of US Formations - IV
Corps, Fifth Army, II Corps)
6th South African Armoured Division
(Formed on February 1st, 1943)
Headquarters, 6th South African Armoured Division Maj. Gen. W.H.E. Poole, DSO, CB, LOM (Commander),
French Croix de Guerre w/Bronze Palm, MID
Headquarters, SAA Col. J.N. Bierman, CBE
Headquarters, SAEC Lt. Col. R.M.M. Cormack, MBE
Headquarters, SAEC Corps Troops Lt. Col. C.E. Todd, MC, OBE
Headquarters, SA Roads Group Lt. Col. F.J. Hugo, MBE
Headquarters, Airfield Construction Group Lt. Col. H. Mill-Colman, OBE
Headquarters, Railway Construction Engineers Col. W.H. Evans, OBE, CBE, LOM (Officer)
Headquarters, Tunnelling Detachment, MEB Lt. Col. L.D. Browne, MBE, OBE, Bronze Star
Railway & Harbours Composite Railway-Operating Company Lt. Col. W.A. Swanepoel
Headquarters, SACS
Headquarters, Q Services
Headquarters, T Services
Headquarters, Divisional Reserve Group
Divisional Infantry
DSR Battalion (The DEOR/RLI & Transvaal Scottish (TS) amalgamated on March 7th, 1945, forming the DSR
Battalion)
o DSR,
SAIC

Lt. Col. W.R. Hedding, DSR (CIC) (1st South African Armoured Brigade)
(Replacement Battalion)
A Company
B Company
C Company
D Company
S Company
1x AT Platoons (6x OQF 6-pdr guns)
1x Mortar Platoon (6x 3 mortars)
4th Battalion (Wildes) 13th Frontier Force Rifles - ? (CIC) (Attached to 11th South African Armoured Brigade)
(Indian Motorised Infantry Battalion) (Joined on 18 August 1944 & Withdrawn on 13 January 1945)
o A Company
o B Company

o C
Company


o D
Company

o S Company
3x AT Platoons (12x OQF 6-pdr with or without Bedford QLT 3t Lorries Portee)

1x Mortar Platoon (6x 3 Mortars in Morris 15 cwt Trucks, with 2 OPs in Universal
Carriers)
Recce
Natal Mounted Rifles (NMR), SAAC Lt. Col. R.D. Jenkins, DSO (CIC) (ex 3rd Armoured Recce Battalion) (Strong
Contingent of Rhodesians)
o A Squadron
SHQ - Daimler Dingo ACs/White Scout Cars, 2x Sherman ARV/M32 TRV

3x Platoons with Stuart V Jalopies (Rifle/LMG) (ex 1/12th LAA Regiment SAA)
o B Squadron (Attached to 24th Guards Infantry Brigade)
SHQ - Daimler Dingo ACs/White Scout Cars, 2x Sherman ARV/M32 TRV

o C Squadron
SHQ - Daimler Dingo ACs / White Scout Cars, 2x Sherman ARV / M32 TRV

(Joined on June 22nd, 1944)
o S Company
1x AT Platoons (6x OQF 6-pdr guns)
1x Mortar Platoon (6x 3 mortars)
Divisional Artillery
1/6 Field Regiment, SAA - Lt. Col. I.B. Whyte, DSO, ED (CIC) (Prince Alfreds Own Cape Field Artillery)
A Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
B Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
o 3/17 Field Battery (Rhodesians) (ex Rhodesian 17th Field Battery)
C Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
D Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
E Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
F Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
4/22 Field Regiment, SAA Lt. Col. F.H. Harper (CIC) (ex Pretoria Highlanders & South African Irish)
o 7/64 Field Battery (Transvaal Horse Artillery)

BHQ Jeeps/White Scout Cars, 1x Sherman V Armoured OP, 2x Sherman ARV/M32
TRV
A Troop 4x M7 Priest 105mm HMC SP
B Troop 4x M7 Priest 105mm HMC SP

o 10/65 Field
Battery

BHQ - Jeeps/White Scout Cars, 1x Sherman V Armoured OP, 2x Sherman ARV/M32
TRV
C Troop 4x M7 Priest 105mm HMC SP
D Troop 4x M7 Priest 105mm HMC SP

o 11/66 Field
Battery
(South African Irish)

BHQ - Jeeps/White Scout Cars, 1x Sherman V Armoured OP, 2x Sherman ARV/M32
TRV
E Troop 4x M7 Priest 105mm HMC SP
F Troop 4x M7 Priest 105mm HMC SP
166th NFLD (Newfoundland) Field Regiment, RA Lt. Col. R.W. Hitchcock, MC (CIC) (Joined on 18 August 1944)
o Q Battery
A Troop with 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
B Troop with 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
o P Battery
C Troop with 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
D Troop with 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
o R Battery
E Troop with 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
F Troop with 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
76th (Shropshire Yeomanry) Medium Regiment, RA Lt. Col. Sir R.C.G Cotterell, Bt, MID (CIC)
(Joined on 12 June 1944 & Withdrawn on 7 August 1944) (Nicknamed Mad76th by the South Africans)
o 112 Field Battery
A Troop - BL 4.5 guns with AEC Matador Tractors
B Troop - BL 4.5 guns with AEC Matador Tractors
o 113 Field Battery
C Troop - BL 4.5 guns with AEC Matador Tractors
D Troop - BL 4.5 guns with AEC Matador Tractors
7/23 Medium Regiment, SAHA Lt. Col. H.H. Greenwood (CIC)

o 15/67 Medium
Battery

A Troop 4x BL 5.5 Medium Gun with AEC Matador Trucks/Mack 6t Tractors
B Troop 4x BL 5.5 Medium Gun with AEC Matador Trucks/Mack 6t Tractors

o 19/68 Medium
Battery

C Troop 4x BL 5.5 Medium Gun with AEC Matador Trucks/Mack 6t Tractors
D Troop 4x BL 5.5 Medium Gun with AEC Matador Trucks/Mack 6t Tractors

o 3/56 HAA
Battery
(Transferred from 1/12 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, SAAF to 7/23 Medium on February
5th, 1945 from a LAA to an HAA)
G Troop 6x QF 3.7 AA Gun with AEC Matador Trucks/Mack 6t Tractors
H Troop 6x QF 3.7 AA Gun with AEC Matador Trucks/Mack 6t Tractors
I Troop 6x QF 3.7 AA Gun with AEC Matador Trucks/Mack 6t Tractors
178th (Lowland) Medium Regiment, RA (TA) - Lt. Col. R.T. Priest / Lt. Col. H.S. Freeth (CIC) (Lt. Col. H.S. Freeth
replaced Lt. Col. R.T. Priest on 16 January 1945) (Joined on 7 October 1944)
o 309 Battery
A Troop 4x BL 5.5 Medium Gun with AEC Matador Trucks
B Troop 4x BL 5.5 Medium Gun with AEC Matador Trucks
o 310 Battery
C Troop 4x BL 5.5 Medium Gun with AEC Matador Trucks
D Troop 4x BL 5.5 Medium Gun with AEC Matador Trucks
o 253 Battery
E Troop 4x BL 5.5 Medium Gun with AEC Matador Trucks
F Troop 4x BL 5.5 Medium Gun with AEC Matador Trucks
697th US Field Artillery Battalion ? (CIC) (Joined on 7 October 1944 & Withdrawn on 21 April 1945)
o 1st Battalion
C Battery
C Troop 2x 240mm Howitzers M1 Black Dragon with M4 High Speed Tractor
575th US Field Artillery Battalion ? (CIC) (Joined on 7 October 1944 & Withdrawn on 21 April 1945)
o 1st Battalion
A Battery
A Troop 1x 8 Gun M1 with M4 High Speed Tractor
1/11 Anti-Tank Regiment, SAA Lt. Col. G.D. Goodman (CIC)
o 1/22 Battery (Rhodesians) (ex Rhodesian 4th Anti-Tank Battery)
R Troop 4x OQF 17-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
S Troop 4x OQF 17-pdr with Morris C8 Quad Tractors
T Troop 4x OQF 6-pdr with Bedford QLT 3t Lorries
o 2/23 Battery (Attached to 12th South African Motorized Infantry Brigade)
BHQ - 2x Sherman ARV/M32 TRV

4x M10 Grouse (3) SP Troop (M10 Equipped with Artillery Instruments
- Fire Indirectly as Artillery).

o 3/24 Battery (Attached to 11th South African Armoured Brigade)
BHQ - 2x Sherman ARV/M32 TRV


1/12 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, SAAF - Lt. Col. C.T. Howie (CIC)
o 1/7 LAA Battery
A Troop 6x QF 40 mm Bofors with Morris 3t LAA Tractors
B Troop 6x QF 40 mm Bofors - SP
C Troop 6x QF 40 mm Bofors with Morris 3t LAA Tractors
o 2/8 LAA Battery
D Troop 6x QF 40 mm Bofors with Morris 3t LAA Tractors
E Troop 6x QF 40 mm Bofors - SP
F Troop 6x QF 40 mm Bofors with Morris 3t LAA Tractors
o 3/56 LAA Battery (Transferred to 7/23 Medium on 5 February 1945)
G Troop 6x QF 40 mm Bofors with Morris 3t LAA Tractors
H Troop 6x QF 40 mm Bofors - SP
I Troop 6x QF 40 mm Bofors with Morris 3t LAA Tractors
76th (Gloucestershire) HAA Regiment, RA (TA) Maj. C.K.H. Buckle (CIC) (Joined on 7 October 1944)
o A Battery
A Troop 4 x QF 3.7 HAA Gun with AEC Matador Trucks
B Troop 4 x QF 3.7 HAA Gun with AEC Matador Trucks
o B Battery
C Troop 4 x QF 3.7 HAA Gun with AEC Matador Trucks
D Troop 4 x QF 3.7 HAA Gun with AEC Matador Trucks
o C Battery
E Troop 4 x QF 3.7 HAA Gun with AEC Matador Trucks
F Troop 4 x QF 3.7 HAA Gun with AEC Matador Trucks
Engineers
8th Field Squadron, SAEC Maj. M.P. Pearse (CIC) (Attached to 11th S.A Armoured Brigade)
RECCE - Daimlers Dingo AC
12th Field Squadron, SAEC Lt. J.M. Gosnell, MC (CIC) (Attached to 12th S.A Motorized Infantry Brigade)
17th Division Field Park Squadron, SAEC Maj. A.I. Sussman (CIC)
22nd Corps Field Park Company, SAEC
32nd Road Construction Company, SAEC
36th Water Supply Company, SAEC
41st Harbour Construction Company, SAEC
2nd Dock Operating Company, SAEC
3rd Dock Operating Company, SAEC
42nd Geological Survey Section, SAEC
43rd Water Treatment Section, SAEC
44th Water Maintenance Company, SAEC
82nd Workshop & Park Company, SAEC
83rd Engineers Stores Base Depot, SAEC
85th Camouflage Company, SAEC
93rd Engineer Base Workshops, SAEC
94th Compressed Gas Depot, SAEC
23rd Anti-Gas Laboratory, SAEC
95th Bomb Disposal Company, SAEC
104th Water Boring Section, SAEC
106th Special Park Section, SAEC
112th Artisan Work Section , SAEC
61st Tunnelling Company, MEB
62nd Tunnelling Company, MEB
622nd Field Squadron, RE (Joined on June 30th, 1944)
857th Quarrying Company, RE
Signals
6th Armoured Divisional Signal Squadron, SACS
6th Armoured Divisional Artillery Signal Squadron, SACS
17th Armoured Brigade Signals Squadron, SACS
Medical Service
6th Field Hygiene Unit, SAMC
6th Armoured Divisional Dental Unit, SAMC
6th Armoured Divisional Anti-Malaria Control Unit, SAMC
Provost
6th Armoured Divisional Provost Company, SACMP Maj. R. Dreyer (CIC)
66th Field Security Section
Postal Service
Division Postal Unit - Cpt. N. H. Nye (CIC)
o 1st 44th Postal Unit, APO
Supporting Services
Q Services Corps (QSC)
o 73rd Bulk-Breaking Platoon, Q Services Corps
o 136th Tank-Transporter Company, Q Services Corps
Technical Service Corps (TSC)
o 3rd Armoured Divisional Workshop, T Service Corps
o 11th Armoured Brigade Workshop, T Service Corps
o 10th Motorised Brigade Workshops, T Service Corps
o 14th Armoured Divisional 2 Line Transport Workshops, T Service Corps
o 6th Armoured Divisional Q & T Stores Field Park, T Service Corps
S.A. Ordnance Corps
S.A. Pay Corps
S.A. Intelligence Corps
Reserve Group
DEOR/RLI Battalion (Duke of Edinburghs Own Rifles (DROR) & Rand Light Infantry (RLI) amalgamated on 12
August 1943 forming the DEOR/RLI)

o DEOR/RLI - Lt. Col. P.G.V. van der Byl, MC, MID (CIC) (1st S.A. Armoured Brigade) (Replacement
Battalion)
A Squadron (DEOR) (Provided Reinforcements for NMR)
B Squadron (DEOR) (Provided Reinforcements for RNC)
C Squadron (RLI) (Formed August 20th, 1943) (Provided Reinforcements for SSB)
Reserve Artillery Regiment, SAA - Lt. Col. (Sir) T.S.G. Foster (CIC)
o 7/23 Medium Reserve Battery
o 1/11 Anti-Tank Reserve Battery
o 1/12 Light Anti-Aircraft Reserve Battery
Reserve Armoured Regiment, SAAC
Reserve Motorised Regiment, SAIC
Reserve Field Squadron, SAEC
Reserve Signals Squadron, SACS
Reserve Q Company, Q Services Corps
Reserve Field Ambulance, SAMC
Reserve Workshop, T Service Corps
Reserve Company, Cape Corps
BRIGADES
11th South African Armoured Brigade Brig. J.P.A. Furstenberg, DSO (CIC)
Pretoria
Regiment (PR),
SAAC

- Lt. Col. A.H. Johnstone, DSO, ED (CIC) (Prince Alices Own)
o RHQ - 3x Sherman IIA, 1x Sherman IC Hybrid (17-pdr)

A Squadron
(Rhodesians) (ex Southern Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment)
SHQ - 4x Sherman IIA, 2x Sherman ARV/M32 TRV
1x Troop of 4x Sherman IC Hybrid (17-pdr)

1x Troop of 4x Sherman IB (105mm) w/Honey Stuart Ammunition
Carriers
B Squadron

Carriers
C Squadron

Carriers
D Squadron

Carriers
Prince Alfreds
Guard (PAG),
SAAC

Lt. Col. J. Olsen (CIC)
A Squadron

SHQ - 3x Sherman IIA, 1x Sherman IC Hybrid (17-pdr), 2x Sherman
ARV/M32 TRV

1x Troop of 4x Sherman IB (105mm) w/ Honey Stuart Ammunition
Carriers

B Squadron
(Rhodesians) (ex Southern Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment)

Carriers
C Squadron

Carriers
D Squadron

Carriers
Special Service
Battalion (SSB),
SAAC

- Lt. Col. C.E.G. Papa Britz, DSO & Bar (CIC)
A Squadron

Carriers
B Squadron

Carriers
C Squadron (Rhodesians) (ex Southern Rhodesian Armoured Car Regiment)

Carriers
D Squadron

Carriers
Infantry
o Imperial Light Lt. Col. R. Reeves-Moore, MC & Bar, DSO & Bar (CIC) (Motorised
Horse/Kimberley
Regiment
(ILH/KimR), SAIC

Infantry Battalion) (ILH amalgamated with the 4/6th Armoured Car
Regiment in June 1943 & with KimR on 13 July 1943) (Withdrawn on 24
February 1945)
o BHQ
A Company
CHQ with M3, M5 - Half-Track/White Scout Cars
B Company
C Company
3x Platoons with 3t Lorries / M3, M5 - Half-Track (Rifle/LMG)
S Company

Portee)

1x Mortar Platoon (6x 3 Mortars in 15 cwt Truck, with 2 OPs in
Universal Carriers)
12th South African Motorized Infantry Brigade Brig. Gen. R.J. Palmer, DSO (CIC)
Regiment
Botha/Regiment
President Steyn
(RB/RPS), SAIC

Lt. Col. A. S. Nel (CIC) (RB & RPS amalgamated on 9 August
1943) (Joined on 23 March 1945) (1st South African Armoured
Brigade)
BHQ

A Company
(Heavy) (Attached to 12th South African Motorized Infantry Brigade)

B Company
(Heavy) (Attached to 13th South African Motorized Infantry Brigade)
Royal Natal
Carbineers (RNC), SAIC

Lt. Col. P.C.A Francis, MC, MID (CIC) (Motorised Infantry
Battalion)
BHQ
A Company
B Company
C Company
D Company
S Company

Lorries Portee)

First City/Cape Town
Highlanders Regiment
(FC/CTH), SAIC

Lt. Col. A.S. Duncan, DSO (CIC) (KIA on 16 April 1945) Lt. Col.
W.S. Douglas, MC (CIC) (Motorised Infantry Battalion) (FC & CTH
amalgamated on 5 October 1943)
BHQ
A Company
B Company (Rhodesians) (Composed mainly of ex-Rhodesia Regiment)
C Company
D Company (ex Carrier & AT Personnel)
S Company

Lorries Portee)

Witwatersrand/De La
Rey Regiment
(WR/DLR), SAIC

Lt. Col. W.R. Booysie van der Riet, MC (CIC) (Motorised
Infantry Battalion) (WR & DLR amalgamated on 5 July 1943)
BHQ
A Company
B Company
C Company
D Company
S Company

Lorries Portee)

13th South African Motorized Infantry Brigade - Brig. J.B. Happy Jack Bester, DSO & Bar (CIC)
(Formed on January 13th, 1945)
Regiment Botha/Regiment
President Steyn (RB/RPS),
SAIC

Lt. Col. A. S. Nel (CIC) (RB & RPS amalgamated on
August 9th, 1943) (Joined on 23 March 1945)
(1st South African Armoured Brigade)
BHQ

C Company (Heavy) (Attached to 12th South African Motorized
Infantry Brigade)

3x MMG Platoon (18x Machine-Guns with MMG
Carriers)

D Company (Heavy) (Attached to 13th South African Motorized
Infantry Brigade)

Carriers)
Imperial Light
Horse/Kimberley Regiment
(ILH/KimR), SAIC

Lt. Col. R. Reeves-Moore, MC & Bar, DSO & Bar (CIC)
(Motorised Infantry Battalion)
(Joined on 24 February 1945)
BHQ
A Company
B Company
C Company
S Company


1x Mortar Platoon (6x 3 Mortars in Morris 15 cwt
Trucks, with 2 OPs in Universal Carriers)
Natal Mounted Rifles/South
African Air Force Regiment
(NMR/SAAF), SAIC

Lt. Col. R.D. Jenkins, DSO (CIC) (NMR & SAAF
amalgamated on 17 January 1945)
(Joined on 22 January 1945)
BHQ
A Company
B Company
C Company
D Company (Raised on 17 January 1945)
S Company


Royal Durban Light Infantry
(RDLI), SAIC

Lt. Col. C. Metcalfe, ED (CIC)
BHQ
A Company
CHQ with Universal Carriers
B Company
C Company
D Company
S Company


Artillery
15th Field Regiment, SAA

Lt. Col. G.P. Jacobs (CIC) (Joined on 13 January
1945) (ex 4/25 AT Battery & 6th South African Armoured
Division Reserve Artillery Regiment)

o 43rd Field
Battery

A Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris 15 cwt Trucks /
Morris C8 Quad Tractors

B Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris 15 cwt Trucks /

o 4/25th Battery
(ex 1/11 Anti-
Tank Regiment)

C Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris 15 cwt Trucks /

D Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris 15 cwt Trucks /

o 45th Field
Battery

E Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris 15 cwt Trucks /

F Troop 4x OQF 25-pdr with Morris 15 cwt Trucks /
Engineers
o 5th Field Squadron, SAEC Maj. J.F.M. Luyt (CIC) (Joined on 20 January 1945)
Medical
o 19th Field Ambulance,
SAMC

Signals
o 18th Motor Brigade Signals
Squadron, SACS

24th Guards Infantry Brigade Brig. M.D. Erskine, DSO, CBE (CIC) (Withdrawn on 19 February 1945)
1st Battalion, The Scots
Guards

- Lt. Col. R.D Cardiff / Lt. Col. R.G Lewthwaite, MC (CIC)
o BHQ

o Right Flank
Company

o B Company
o C Company

o Left Flank
Company

o S Company


Carriers)

3rd Battalion, The Coldstream
Guards

- Lt. Col. W.L. Steele (CIC)
o BHQ

o No.1
Company


o No.2
Company


o No.3
Company


o No.4
Company

o S Company


Carriers)

5th Battalion, Grenadier Guards
- Lt. Col. P.T. Clifton, DSO (CIC)
o BHQ

o No.1
Company


o No.2
Company


o No.3
Company


o No.4
Company

o S Company


Carriers)

Engineers
42nd Field Company, RE Maj. A. Morris (CIC)
24th Independent Brigade
Group (Guards) Workshop
(Joined on 1 September 1944)
Medical Service
137th Field Ambulance, RAMC (Joined on 14 August 1944)
Signals
550th Company, RASC
Combat Command B, 1st US Armored Division Old Ironsides Maj. Gen. V.E. Prichard, LOM, French Croix de
Guerre w/Bronze Palm (CIC) (Joined on 7 October 1944 & Withdrawn on 21 April 1945)
Headquarters
Combat
Command
B
Jeeps/M3, M5 Half-Tracks

o 11th US Armoured
Infantry Battalion
- ? (CIC) (Motorised Infantry Battalion)
A Company

o CHQ with Jeeps / M3 Half-Tracks
o 3x Platoons with M3 Half-Tracks (Rifle)
o 1x Weapon Platoon (1x .30 Cal. M1917 HMG & 3x 60mm
M2 Mortars with M3 Half-Tracks)
o 1x AT Platoon (3x 57mm M1 with 1!-ton Truck)
B Company

C Company

D Company (Heavy)

o 2x MMG Platoon (12x .30 Cal M1919 LMG Guns with M3
Half-Tracks)
o 1x Mortar Platoon (6x 81mm M1 Mortars with M21 Half-
Tracks)

Battalion
Support
Company

o 1x AT Platoons (6x 37mm Gun M3 / 57mm M1 Guns with
M3, M5 Half-Tracks)

o 13th US Tank
Battalion
- ? (CIC)
BHQ 3x M4A1 Sherman (75mm)
RECCE SHQ - 3x M5A1 (Stuart VI) Light Tank
o 3x Troops of 5x M5A1 (Stuart VI) Light Tank
D Company
o CHQ - 2x M4A1 Sherman (75mm), 1x M4 (105mm)
Sherman, 2x M32 TRV
o 2x Troops of 5x M4A1 Sherman (75mm)
E Company

Sherman, 2x M32 TRV
F Company

Sherman, 2x M32 TRV

o 81st US Cavalry
Reconnaissance
Squadron

- Lt. Col. M. Popowski
(Mechanised)

1x Cavalry
Reconnaissance
Troop

HQ 2x M8 Armoured Cars

o 3x Platoons with Armoured Car & Jeep Sections (3x M8
Armoured Cars w/ .50 Cal. & 6x Jeeps x3 w/ Mounted .30
Cal M1919 LMG) & Scout Section (Rifle)
Artillery

27th or 68th or 91st
US Armoured Field
Artillery Battalion
- ? (CIC)
BHQ 1x M20 Armoured Utility Car
o A Battery

BHQ - 1x M4 Sherman OP, 2x M32 Tank Recovery
Vehicles
A Troop 4x M7 Priest 105mm HMC SP
o B Battery

Vehicles
B Troop 4x M7 Priest 105mm HMC SP
o C Battery

Vehicles
C Troop 4x M7 Priest 105mm HMC SP
Engineers

o 16th US Armoured
Engineer Battalion

- ? (CIC)
A Company

CHQ with Jeeps/M3 Half-Tracks
3x Platoons with 2!-ton Trucks/M3 Half-Tracks (Rifle)
B Company

C Company

Higher Formations Served Under
HQ British Troops Egypt 1 May to 31 December 1943
British III Corps 1 January to 14 March 1944
Egypt Force 14 March to 14 April 1944
British 8th Army 21 April to 28 May 1944
1st Canadian Corps 28 May to 6 June 1944
British XIII Corps 6 June 1944
British 8th Army 6 August to 20 August 1944
US IV Corps 22 August to 7 October 1944
US 5th Army 7 October to 31 October 1944
US IV Corps 31 October 1944 to 15 January 1945
US II Corps 15 January to 30 April 1945
US 5th Army 30 April to 31 May 1945
Battles, Actions & Engagements
Battle Action or Engagement
1944
Rome Advance to the Tiber 22 May to 4 June 1944
Celleno 9 to 10 June 1944
Bagnoregio 11 to 13 June 1944
Allerona 15 June 1944
Trasimene Line 20 to 30 June 1944
Arezzo 4 to 17 July 1944
Advance to Florence Monte San Michele 18 to 20 July 1944
Monte Domini 21 to 24 July 1944
Monte Kili 21 to 23 July 1944
Paula Line 30 July to 4 August 1944
Gothic Line Monte Porro del Bagno 15 to 18 September 1944
Femmina Morta 17 to 18 September 1944
Catarelto Ridge 28 September to 3 October 1944
Monte Vigese 30 September to 6 October 1944
Monte Stanco 7 to 13 October 1944
Monte Salvaro 19 to 23 October 1944
1945
Bologna Monte Sole 15 to 18 April 1945
Camposanto Bridge 22 April 1945
Abbreviations:
/ - Means Or & Both (e.g. Daimler Dingo ACs/White Scout Cars)
SAIC - South African Infantry Corps
CFA - Cape Field Artillery
SAA - South African Artillery Corps
SAAC - South African Armoured Corps
SAHA - South African Heavy Artillery Corps
SAEC - South African Engineering Corps
SACS - South African Corps of Signals
SAMC - South African Medical Corps
SACMP - South African Corps of Military Police
LAA - Light Anti-Aircraft
HAA Heavy Anti-Aircraft
RA Royal Artillery
RE - Royal Engineers
RAMC - Royal Army Medical Corps
RASC- Royal Army Signal Corps
REME - Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers
APO - Army Post Office
CIC Commander in Charge
AT Anti-Tank
MMG - Medium Machine Gun
RECCE - Reconnaissance
RDLI - Royal Durban Light Infantry
NMR - Natal Mounted Rifles
DROR - Duke of Edinburghs Own Rifles
RLI - Rand Light Infantry
RB/RPS - Regiment Botha/Regiment President Steyn
PR - Pretoria Regiment
PAG - Prince Alfreds Guard
SSB - Special Service Battalion
ILH/KimR - Imperial Light Horse/Kimberley Regiment
RNC - Royal Natal Carbineers
FC/CTH - First City/Cape Town Highlanders Regiment
WR/DLR - Witwatersrand/De La Rey Regiment
QSC - Q Services Corps
TSC - Technical Service Corps
Return to the 6th South African Armoured Division History...
Notes and details on the 6th South African Armoured Division...
German Units & Elements Encountered during 1944 - 1945...

Last Updated On Thursday, April 17, 2014 by Wayne at Battlefront
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6th South African OOB January 1944 - May 1945

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6th South African OOB January 1944 - May 1945

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