The Reconnaissance Corps, or simply Recce Corps, was a

corps Corps (; plural ''corps'' ; from French , from the Latin "body") is a term used for several different kinds of organization. A military innovation by Napoleon I, the formation was first named as such in 1805. The size of a corps varies great ...

of the

British Army The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurkha ...

, formed during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...

whose units provided reconnaissance for

infantry Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and mar ...

divisions. It was formed from infantry

brigade A brigade is a major tactical military formation that typically comprises three to six battalions plus supporting elements. It is roughly equivalent to an enlarged or reinforced regiment. Two or more brigades may constitute a division. ...

reconnaissance groups on 14 January 1941. All the brigade reconnaissance groups of each infantry corps were formed into reconnaissance

battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions ...

s, each usually bearing the number of its relevant division. For example, the 43rd Battalion, Reconnaissance Corps (based on the 5th Battalion,

Gloucestershire Regiment The Gloucestershire Regiment, commonly referred to as the Glosters, was a line infantry regiment of the British Army from 1881 until 1994. It traced its origins to Colonel Gibson's Regiment of Foot, which was raised in 1694 and later became the ...

) was the divisional reconnaissance battalion of the

43rd (Wessex) Division The 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division was an infantry division of Britain's Territorial Army (TA). The division was first formed in 1908, as the Wessex Division. During the First World War, it was broken-up and never served as a complete forma ...

. Initially, coming from infantry units, reconnaissance units used the infantry designations of battalions, companies and

platoon A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two or more squads, sections, or patrols. Platoon organization varies depending on the country and the branch, but a platoon can be composed of 50 people, although specific platoons may rang ...

s. However, from 6 June 1942, the Corps changed to the

cavalry Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from "cheval" meaning "horse") are soldiers or warriors who fight mounted on horseback. Cavalry were the most mobile of the combat arms, operating as light cavalry in ...

descriptions of

regiment A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation. In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscript ...

s, squadrons and

troop A troop is a military sub-subunit, originally a small formation of cavalry, subordinate to a squadron. In many armies a troop is the equivalent element to the infantry section or platoon. Exceptions are the US Cavalry and the King's Tr ...

s. The Corps became part of the

Royal Armoured Corps The Royal Armoured Corps is the component of the British Army, that together with the Household Cavalry provides its armour capability, with vehicles such as the Challenger 2 Tank and the Scimitar Reconnaissance Vehicle. It includes most of the ...

(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

The British Army in the United Kingdom 1939-45 H25279

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 Winchester is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city in Hampshire, England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government Districts of England, district, at the western end of the South Downs Nation ...

in February 1941, until the home of the Corps moved to Catterick in

Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ; abbreviated Yorks), formally known as the County of York, is a Historic counties of England, historic county in northern England and by far the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its large area in comparison with other Eng ...

. 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 An intelligence quotient (IQ) is a total score derived from a set of standardized tests or subtests designed to assess human intelligence. The abbreviation "IQ" was coined by the psychologist William Stern (psychologist), William Stern for th ...

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 The English Greyhound, or simply the Greyhound, is a breed of dog, a sighthound which has been bred for coursing, greyhound racing and hunting. Since the rise in large-scale adoption of retired racing Greyhounds, the breed has seen a resurgenc ...

augmented the light reconnaissance cars in scout troops.

Units

The following units served in the Recce Corps: * 1st Reconnaissance Regiment formed January 1941 in the 1st Infantry Division from the Hampshire Regiment. * 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. *

3rd (Royal Northumberland Fusiliers) Reconnaissance Regiment The 3rd Reconnaissance Regiment (NF) was a regiment of the Reconnaissance Corps, which was itself part of the Royal Armoured Corps, raised by the British Army during the Second World War. It was originally raised as the 8th Battalion, Royal Nort ...

formed April 1941 in the 3rd Infantry Division, from the 8th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. * 4th Reconnaissance Regiment formed January 1941 mainly from the anti-tank companies of the 10th, 11th and 12th Brigades of the 4th Infantry Division. * 5th Reconnaissance Regiment formed February 1941 in the 5th Infantry Division from the 3rd Battalion, Tower Hamlets Rifles. * 11th (East African) Reconnaissance Regiment formed May 1943 in the 11th (East Africa) Division by conversion of the

Kenya Armoured Car Regiment ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

* 15th Reconnaissance Regiment formed February 1943 in the

15th (Scottish) Infantry Division The 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division was an infantry division of the British Army that served during the Second World War. It was raised on 2 September 1939, the day before war was declared, as part of the Territorial Army (TA) and served i ...

from the 15th, 45th and 54th Independent Reconnaissance Squadrons. * 18th Reconnaissance Battalion formed in the 18th (East Anglian) Infantry Division from the 5th Battalion, Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire); surrendered at Singapore 1942. * 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. * 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment formed from 5th Battalion,

transferred to the

43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division The 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division was an infantry division of Britain's Territorial Army (TA). The division was first formed in 1908, as the Wessex Division. During the First World War, it was broken-up and never served as a complete forma ...

from the 48th (South Midland) Infantry Division November 1941; lost 'A' and 'C' Sqns through the sinking of the Motor Transport Ship T72 off Sword Beach on 24 June 1944; one replacement squadron received from the 161st Reconnaissance Regiment.Ellis Vol I, p. 275. * 44th Reconnaissance Regiment formed January 1941 in the

44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division The Home Counties Division was an infantry division of the Territorial Force, part of the British Army, that was raised in 1908. As the name suggests, the division recruited in the Home Counties, particularly Kent, Middlesex, Surrey and Sussex. ...

from the 7th Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment; transferred to 56th (London) Infantry Division in 1943, but retained number. * 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; converted to infantry and redesignated as the 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment in October 1944. * 46th Reconnaissance Regiment formed July 1941 in the 46th Infantry Division from the 23rd Battalion,

Royal Fusiliers The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army in continuous existence for 283 years. It was known as the 7th Regiment of Foot until the Childers Reforms of 1881. The regiment served in many wars ...

and the 137th, 138th and 139th Brigade Anti-Tank Companies. The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 BU4144

* 49th Reconnaissance Regiment formed September 1942 in the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division from the 29th and 148th Independent Reconnaissance Sqns, with the 1st Belgian Fusiliers as 'C' Sqn, later replaced by 24th (Guards) Independent Reconnaissance Squadron. * 50th Reconnaissance Regiment formed April 1941 in the

50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division The 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division was an infantry division of the British Army that saw distinguished service in the Second World War. Pre-war, the division was part of the Territorial Army (TA) and the two ''Ts'' in the divisional in ...

from the 4th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, previously the division's motorcycle battalion; disbanded and remnants returned to the 4th RNF after action at the

Battle of Gazala The Battle of Gazala (near the village of ) was fought during the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War, west of the port of Tobruk in Libya, from 26 May to 21 June 1942. Axis troops of the ( Erwin Rommel) consisting of German an ...

June 1942. * 51st Reconnaissance Regiment formed February 1941 from the brigade anti-tank companies of the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division: 152 ( Camerons and Seaforths) as 'A' Sqn, 153 ( Gordons and Black Watch) as 'B' Sqn and

154 Year 154 ( CLIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Aurelius and Lateranus (or, less frequently, year 907 ''Ab urbe cond ...

( Black Watch and Argylls) as 'C' Sqn; converted to infantry and redesignated as the 14th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry in January 1943. * 52nd Reconnaissance Regiment formed January 1941 from the three Brigade Reconnaissance Groups of the

52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division The 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division was an infantry division of the British Army that was originally formed as the Lowland Division, in 1908 as part of the Territorial Force. It later became the 52nd (Lowland) Division in 1915. The 52nd (Lowl ...

: 'A' Sqn (

Royal Scots The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment), once known as the Royal Regiment of Foot, was the oldest and most senior infantry regiment of the line of the British Army, having been raised in 1633 during the reign of Charles I of Scotland. The regime ...

and

King's Own Scottish Borderers The King's Own Scottish Borderers (KOSBs) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Scottish Division. On 28 March 2006 the regiment was amalgamated with the Royal Scots, the Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Margaret's O ...

); 'B' Sqn (

Royal Scots Fusiliers The Royal Scots Fusiliers was a line infantry regiment of the British Army that existed from 1678 until 1959 when it was amalgamated with the Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) to form the Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Ma ...

and

Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was a rifle regiment of the British Army, the only regiment of rifles amongst the Scottish regiments of infantry. It was formed in 1881 under the Childers Reforms by the amalgamation of the 26th Cameronian Re ...

); 'C' Sqn ( Highland Light Infantry and

Gordon Highlanders Gordon may refer to: People * Gordon (given name), a masculine given name, including list of persons and fictional characters * Gordon (surname), the surname * Gordon (slave), escaped to a Union Army camp during the U.S. Civil War * Clan Gord ...

The British Army in the United Kingdom 1939-45 H23577

* 53rd Reconnaissance Regiment formed January 1941 from the 158th, 159th and 160th Brigade Anti-Tank Companies of the

53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division The 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division was an infantry division of the British Army that fought in both the First and Second World Wars. Originally raised in 1908 as the Welsh Division, part of the Territorial Force (TF), the division saw service ...

. * 54th Reconnaissance Regiment formed July 1941 in the

54th (East Anglian) Infantry Division The 54th (East Anglian) Infantry Division was an infantry division of the British Army. The division was raised in 1908 following the creation of the Territorial Force (TF) as the East Anglian Division. During the First World War the division fo ...

from the 21st Battalion,

; split into the 45th, 54th and 76th Independent Reconnaissance Squadrons in November 1941. * 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. The British Army in Italy 1943 NA8814

* 59th Reconnaissance Regiment formed January 1941 in the 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division; disbanded 31 August 1944. * 61st Reconnaissance Regiment formed September 1941 from the 182nd, 183rd and 184th Brigade Anti-Tank Companies of the 61st Infantry Division; transferred to the

; disbanded December 1944. * 63rd Reconnaissance Training Centre formed January 1942, absorbed Reconnaissance Training Centre (formed January 1941) in August 1943. * 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; renumbered 38th Reconnaissance Regiment October 1944. * 81st (West African) Reconnaissance Regiment formed in the 81st (West Africa) Infantry Division. * 82nd (West African) Reconnaissance Regiment formed in the 82nd (West Africa) Infantry Division. * 161st Reconnaissance Regiment converted from the 161st Regiment

(formerly 12th Battalion,

Green Howards The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment), frequently known as the Yorkshire Regiment until the 1920s, was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, in the King's Division. Raised in 1688, it served under vario ...

) October 1943; attached to the

55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Division The 55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Division was an infantry division of the British Army's Territorial Army (TA) that was formed in 1920 and existed through the Second World War, although it did not see combat. The division had originally be ...

from December 1943 to July 1944, 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. * 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry converted from an armoured car regiment of the

and assigned to the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division. * 6th Armoured Airborne Reconnaissance Regiment formed in

6th Airborne Division The 6th Airborne Division was an airborne infantry division of the British Army during the Second World War. Despite its name, the 6th was actually the second of two airborne divisions raised by the British Army during the war, the other being ...

* GHQ Liaison Regiment (Phantom). Independent reconnaissance squadrons QDGflash

* 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron * 15th Independent Reconnaissance Squadron transferred in February 1943 to the 15th (Scottish) Reconnaissance Regiment. * 24th (Guards) Independent Reconnaissance Squadron transferred to the 49th (West Riding) Reconnaissance Regiment. * 29th Independent Reconnaissance Squadron transferred in September 1942 from the 78th Infantry Division to the 49th (West Riding) Reconnaissance Regiment. * 38th Independent Reconnaissance Squadron transferred to the 38th (Welsh) Reconnaissance Regiment in October 1943 * 45th Independent Reconnaissance Squadron formed November 1941 from the 54th Reconnaissance Regiment; transferred in February 1943 to the 15th (Scottish) Reconnaissance Regiment. * 47th Independent Reconnaissance Squadron transferred to the 38th (Welsh) Reconnaissance Regiment in October 1943 * 48th Independent Reconnaissance Squadron formed January 1942 in the 48th (South Midland) Infantry Division after the original 48th Battalion, transferred to the

; transferred to the 80th (Holding and Training) Reconnaissance Regiment in January 1943 * 54th Independent Reconnaissance Squadron formed November 1941 from the 54th Reconnaissance Regiment; transferred in February 1943 to the 15th (Scottish) Reconnaissance Regiment. * 55th Independent Reconnaissance Squadron transferred to the 38th (Welsh) Reconnaissance Regiment in October 1943 * 76th Independent Reconnaissance Squadron formed November 1941 from the 54th Reconnaissance Regiment; transferred to the 80th (Holding and Training) Reconnaissance Regiment in January 1943. * 77th Independent Reconnaissance Squadron transferred to the 80th (Holding and Training) Reconnaissance Regiment in January 1943 * 148th Independent Reconnaissance Squadron formed January 1941 in the 148th Independent Brigade Group; transferred in September 1942 to the 49th (West Riding) Reconnaissance Regiment.Joslen, p. 333.

Notes

References

* * * * * * * * * * * {{refend

External links

Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth

The Reconnaissance Corps website
British administrative corps Army reconnaissance units and formations Military units and formations established in 1941 Military units and formations disestablished in 1946

Organisation and equipment

Units

See also

Notes

References

External links