9th Royal Tank Regiment - Service During World War 2

Service During World War 2

Despite forming in November 1940, it was not until mid-1941, when the regiment was based in Otley, that the 9th received the tanks it was to use in its role as a Heavy Tank Unit. The 9th RTR was one of the first units to be equipped with Churchill Tanks. The Churchills they were issued were almost identical to those used by the Calgary Regiment of the Canadian Army at Dieppe in 1942.

Between 1941 and 1944 the regiment moved around the country, from Otley, to Eastbourne, South Lancing, Charing, and eventually Aldershot. Along with this, the regiments tanks and tank crews often moved around the country to various gunnery ranges, such as Bovington Camp and Castlemartin in Wales amongst others.

The 9th finally went into action shortly after D Day as the weather conditions had not permitted the unit to land. Some of the regiment was able to get on shore on 19 June, but a large part was held up for another two days.

Shortly after arrival in Normandy, 9th RTR (as part of 31 Tank Brigade)was involved in Montgomery's Operation Epsom, the push inland to secure the Normandy Beachhead and the city of Caen. The regiment was part of the right hand attack towards Grainville and Colleville, supporting 15 (Scottish) Infantry Division.

After Epsom, the 9th, was part of Operation Jupiter, the attack on Hill 112. The Hill was defended by elements of the 502nd SS Tiger Battalion, which lead to heavy losses for the regiment, although eventually the Hill was retaken from German Forces.

The next major engagement for the 9th was the Falaise Pocket. The regiment supported the 1st Canadian Army for the first part of the battle. However, the regiment was soon returned to British command for the push east across the north of France, to take bridges across a number of rivers in the area.

Following the rapid push east, the 9th RTR took part in the capture of Le Havre as part of Operation Astonia. In a combined assault of land, naval and air forces, the port city of Le Havre was taken in three days, despite being considered "one of the strongest fortresses of the Atlantic Wall". Unlike previous operations, the regiment took very light casualties. The end of Operation Astonia led to a fortnights rest for the regiment, after they had been fighting for around 100 solid days.

After their rest period, the 9th RTR moved into Holland and took part in the enlarging of the Nijmegen Salient in support of 51st (Highland) Division and 49th (West Riding) Division. Later on in the Dutch campaign then 9th participated in Operations Rebound and Thruster which lead to the capture of Roosendaal, and aided the clearing of the banks of the River Scheldt.

During late December 1944 to the end of January 1945 the 9th RTR aided in the victory in the Ardennes, acting as a defensive force near Liege, under the command of the First US Army.

After the Ardennes, the 9th were attached to 53rd Canadian Infantry Division for the battle in the Reichswald, during early to mid-February 1945. Following this, the 9th, in support of the 52nd Lowland Division pushed further into Germany.

Between March and April, the 9th had an extended period of refitting and maintenance, repairing or replacing Tanks that had travelled Thousands of miles and participated in countless engagements, anticipating the final push across the Rhine. The push never truly came, and the final tasks for the 9th was to clear and secure a small area of Germany.