THE STORY OF THE 23rd HUSSARS 1940-1946

Book Overview

The 23rd Hussars were assigned to 29th Armoured Brigade of 11th Armoured Division. The 11th Armoured Division landed in France in June 1944, taking heavy casualties in the Battle of Normandy. It spearheaded Operation Epsom, reaching the Odon river between Mouen and Mondrainville. It was embroiled in Operation Goodwood, where its assault on Bourgu bus Ridge on the first day was brought to a halt. After Goodwood, the losses of armour within the division were so high that the 24th Lancers were disbanded and its remnants absorbed by the 23rd Hussars. The Regiment then took part in Operation Bluecoat, intended to secure the key road junction of Vire and the high ground of Mont Pin on, which would allow the American exploitation of their breakout on the western flank of the Normandy beachhead. The 11th Armoured Division was subsequently attached to XXX Corps, which captured Flers, Putanges and Argentan in the battle of the Falaise pocket. Once the Falaise pocket was sealed, the Regiment remained with the 11th Armoured Division as it liberated L'Aigle on 23 August. It crossed the Seine on 28 August and, after an advance of 60 miles in one day, liberated Amiens on 1 September and Antwerp on 4 September. It was not directly involved in the ground actions of Operation Market Garden, but covered the right flank of the advancing XXX Corps. It was in reserve, being re-equipped with Comet tanks, at the time of the Ardennes Offensive, but was rapidly deployed into a defensive line along the Meuse with its old tanks. In 1945, it took part in Operations Veritable and Blockbuster and liberated Bergen-Belsen concentration camp before crossing the Elbe and capturing L beck. It was disbanded at the end of January, 1946. It won Battle Honours for The Odon, Bourgu bus Ridge, Le Perier Ridge, Amiens 1944, Antwerp, Venraij, Venlo Pocket, Ourthe, and North-West Europe 1944-45. This is very good "Armoured" WW2 Regimental History, as in all good contemporary regimentals a Roll of Honour, lists of awards, wounded and POWs are included.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1783316551
• ISBN13: 9781783316557
• Release Date: July 2020
• Publisher: Naval & Military Press
• Length: 308 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"