The Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) is the oldest tank unit in the world, being formed by the
British Army
The British Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of the United Kingdom. the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Brigade of Gurkhas, Gurkhas, 25,742 Army Reserve (United Kingdom), volunteer reserve perso ...
in 1916 during the
First World War
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
. Today, it is an
armoured regiment
A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, military service, service, or administrative corps, specialisation.
In Middle Ages, Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of l ...
equipped with
Challenger 2 main battle tanks and structured under
12th Armoured Brigade Combat Team. Formerly known as the Tank Corps and the Royal Tank Corps, it is part of the
Royal Armoured Corps
The Royal Armoured Corps is the armoured arm of the British Army, that together with the Household Cavalry provides its armour capability, with vehicles such as the Challenger 2 and the Warrior tracked armoured vehicle. It includes most of the Ar ...
.
History
First World War
The formation of the Royal Tank Regiment followed the invention of the
tank
A tank is an armoured fighting vehicle intended as a primary offensive weapon in front-line ground combat. Tank designs are a balance of heavy firepower, strong armour, and battlefield mobility provided by tracks and a powerful engine; ...
. Tanks were first used at the
Battle of Flers–Courcelette in September 1916 during the
Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme (; ), also known as the Somme offensive, was a battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British Empire and the French Third Republic against the German Empire. It took place between 1 July and 18 Nove ...
in the
First World War
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
. They were at first considered artillery,
and crews received artillery pay.
At that time the six tank companies were grouped as the Heavy Section of the
Machine Gun Corps (MGC). In November 1916 the eight companies then in existence were each expanded to form battalions (still identified by the letters A to H) and designated the Heavy Branch MGC; another seven battalions, I to O, were formed by January 1918, when all the battalions were changed to numbered units. On 28 July 1917, the Heavy Branch was separated from the rest of the Corps by
Royal Warrant and given official status as the Tank Corps.
The formation of new battalions continued and, by December 1918, 26 had been created though only 25 battalions were equipped with tanks, as the 17th had converted to armoured cars in April 1918. The first commander of the Tank Corps was
Hugh Elles. The Corps saw much action at the
Battle of Cambrai in November 1917.
[
]
Interwar period
After the war, the Tank Corps was trimmed down to a central depot and four battalions: the 2nd
A second is the base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI).
Second, Seconds, The Second, or (The) 2nd may also refer to:
Mathematics
* 2 (number), as an ordinal (also written as ''2nd'' or ''2d'')
* Minute and second of arc, ...
, 3rd, 4th and 5th battalions. On 18 October 1923, it was officially given the title ''Royal'' making it the Royal Tank Corps (RTC) by Colonel-in-Chief King George V
George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936.
George was born during the reign of his pa ...
. It was at this time that the motto
A motto (derived from the Latin language, Latin , 'mutter', by way of Italian language, Italian , 'word' or 'sentence') is a Sentence (linguistics), sentence or phrase expressing a belief or purpose, or the general motivation or intention of a ...
, "Fear Naught", the black beret, and the unit badge were adopted.[ In 1933, the 6th Battalion, RTC was formed in Egypt by combining the personnel of the 3rd and 5th Regular Army Armoured Car Companies. In 1934, the 1st (Light) Battalion, RTC was formed in England with personnel drawn from the 2nd, 3rd & 5th Battalions.][ With the preparations for war in the late 1930s, two more Regular Army battalions were formed: the 7th in 1937 and the ]8th
Eighth is ordinal form of the number eight.
Eighth may refer to:
* One eighth, , a fraction, one of eight equal parts of a whole
* Eighth note (quaver), a musical note played for half the value of a quarter note (crotchet)
* Octave, an interval b ...
in 1938. In the latter half of 1938, six TA infantry battalions were converted to tank battalions; with a further six created in 1939 following the "duplication" of the TA.[
During the early 1920s, the Tank Corps was augmented by 20 armoured car companies: twelve ]Regular Army
A regular army is the official army of a state or country (the official armed forces), contrasting with irregular forces, such as volunteer irregular militias, private armies, mercenaries, etc. A regular army usually has the following:
* a ...
, created using MGC elements; and eight Territorial Army (TA) created by the reduction and conversion of Yeomanry
Yeomanry is a designation used by a number of units and sub-units in the British Army Reserve which are descended from volunteer cavalry regiments that now serve in a variety of different roles.
History
Origins
In the 1790s, following the ...
regiments. Eight of the Regular Army companies were later converted into independent light tank
A light tank is a Tank classification, tank variant initially designed for rapid movements in and out of combat, to outmaneuver heavier tanks. It is smaller with thinner vehicle armour, armor and a less powerful tank gun, main gun, tailored for ...
companies; all twelve companies had been disbanded by the outbreak of the Second World War.
On 4 April 1939, the Royal Tank Corps was renamed the Royal Tank Regiment and became a wing of the newly created Royal Armoured Corps
The Royal Armoured Corps is the armoured arm of the British Army, that together with the Household Cavalry provides its armour capability, with vehicles such as the Challenger 2 and the Warrior tracked armoured vehicle. It includes most of the Ar ...
. The eight Yeomanry
Yeomanry is a designation used by a number of units and sub-units in the British Army Reserve which are descended from volunteer cavalry regiments that now serve in a variety of different roles.
History
Origins
In the 1790s, following the ...
Armoured Car Companies of the RTR were activated and transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps. Before the Second World War
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, Royal Tank Corps recruits were required to be at least 5 feet 4 inches tall. They initially enlisted for six years with the colours and a further six years with the reserve. They trained at the Royal Tank Corps Depot at Bovington Camp, Dorset
Dorset ( ; Archaism, archaically: Dorsetshire , ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South West England. It is bordered by Somerset to the north-west, Wiltshire to the north and the north-east, Hampshire to the east, t ...
for about eight months.[
]
Second World War
At the outbreak of war, the regiment consisted of 20 battalions, 8 regular and 12 territorial.
* Regular Army
** Heavy Armoured Brigade (Egypt): 1st RTR and 6th RTR
** 1st Heavy Armoured Brigade: 2nd RTR, 3rd RTR and 5th RTR
** 1st Army Tank Brigade: 4th RTR, 7th RTR and 8th RTR
* Territorial Army
** 21st Army Tank Brigade: 42nd RTR, 44th RTR and 48th RTR
** 23rd Army Tank Brigade: 40th RTR, 46th RTR and 50th RTR
** 24th Army Tank Brigade: 41st RTR, 45th RTR and 47th RTR
** 25th Army Tank Brigade: 43rd RTR, 49th RTR and 51st RTR
During the course of the war, four "hostilities-only" battalions were formed: the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th. 11 RTR formed part of 79th Armoured Division (a specialist group operating vehicles known as " Hobart's Funnies"), initially equipped with " Canal Defence Light" tanks, it converted to "Buffalo" (the British service name for the US Landing Vehicle Tracked
The Amphibious Vehicle, Tracked (LVT or AMTRAC) is an amphibious warfare vehicle and Amphibious vehicle, amphibious landing craft, introduced by the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. (The USN and USMC use ''L'' to designate ...
) not long after D-Day
The Normandy landings were the landing operations and associated airborne operations on 6 June 1944 of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during the Second World War. Codenamed Operation Neptune and often referred to as ...
and participated in the assault crossing of the Rhine. Prime Minister
A prime minister or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965) was a British statesman, military officer, and writer who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 (Winston Churchill in the Second World War, ...
was ferried across the Rhine in a Buffalo from 'C' Squadron, 11RTR.
The Regiment's numerous units took part in countless battles in the Second World War, including the Battle of Dunkirk
The Battle of Dunkirk () was fought around the French Third Republic, French port of Dunkirk, Dunkirk (Dunkerque) during the Second World War, between the Allies of World War II, Allies and Nazi Germany. As the Allies were losing the Battle ...
, El Alamein, Italian Campaign, Burma Campaign and D-Day landings of 6 June 1944. Field Marshal
Field marshal (or field-marshal, abbreviated as FM) is the most senior military rank, senior to the general officer ranks. Usually, it is the highest rank in an army (in countries without the rank of Generalissimo), and as such, few persons a ...
Sir Bernard Law Montgomery would frequently wear the regiment's beret, with his Field Marshal's badge sewn on next to the regimental cap badge, as it was more practical whilst travelling on a tank than either a formal peaked hat or the Australian slouch hat he previously wore.
Post-war period
After service in the Korean War
The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula fought between North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea; ROK) and their allies. North Korea was s ...
, the RTR was reduced through various amalgamations, firstly, in 1959–60:
* 3 RTR and 6 RTR amalgamated as 3 RTR
* 4 RTR and 7 RTR amalgamated as 4 RTR
* 5 RTR and 8 RTR amalgamated as 5 RTR
In 1969, 5RTR was disbanded, while, in 1992 under Options for Change
Options for Change was a restructuring of the British Armed Forces in summer 1990 after the end of the Cold War.
Until this point, UK military strategy had been almost entirely focused on defending Western Europe against the Soviet Armed Forces ...
, 4RTR amalgamated with 1RTR, and 3RTR amalgamated with 2RTR.[
The Royal Tank Regiment continued to see action including missions in ]Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina, sometimes known as Bosnia-Herzegovina and informally as Bosnia, is a country in Southeast Europe. Situated on the Balkans, Balkan Peninsula, it borders Serbia to the east, Montenegro to the southeast, and Croatia to th ...
and Kosovo
Kosovo, officially the Republic of Kosovo, is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe with International recognition of Kosovo, partial diplomatic recognition. It is bordered by Albania to the southwest, Montenegro to the west, Serbia to the ...
. Elements of 1RTR were deployed to Afghanistan
Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. It is bordered by Pakistan to the Durand Line, east and south, Iran to the Afghanistan–Iran borde ...
in 2002 and both regiments were involved in the invasion of Iraq, with the 2RTR battlegroup involved in taking Basra
Basra () is a port city in Iraq, southern Iraq. It is the capital of the eponymous Basra Governorate, as well as the List of largest cities of Iraq, third largest city in Iraq overall, behind Baghdad and Mosul. Located near the Iran–Iraq bor ...
. Both regiments continued deployments to Iraq
Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to Iraq–Saudi Arabia border, the south, Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq border, the east, the Persian Gulf and ...
and Afghanistan, with the final tour to Afghanistan taking place in 2013.[
On 2 August 2014, 1RTR and 2RTR amalgamated at ]Bulford
Bulford is a village and Civil parishes in England, civil parish in Wiltshire, England, near Salisbury Plain. The village is close to Durrington, Wiltshire, Durrington and about north of the town of Amesbury. The Bulford Camp army base is sep ...
, and for the first time in its history the Royal Tank Regiment became a "Single Battalion" regiment. The new regiment is titled the Royal Tank Regiment.
Squadron history
Ajax
Ajax is the youngest squadron within the amalgamated Royal Tank Regiment. The previous squadron to bear the name was disbanded in 1993, but the current Ajax Squadron upholds the long-standing traditions of both 1 RTR and 2 RTR (formerly A Squadron and Ajax).
During the First World War, on April 24, 1918, the first recorded tank-on-tank engagement occurred during the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux. A Company, operating a Mk IV tank under the command of Lieutenant Frank Mitchell, engaged three German A7Vs and emerged victorious. The company continued to see intense combat for the remainder of the war, including at the Battle of Amiens, where British forces advanced up to 20 miles through enemy lines.
The squadron’s predecessors played a significant role in the Second World War, fighting in key battles across Tobruk, Burma, Iraq, Syria, and Italy. After 1945, 1 RTR was deployed to Hong Kong as the last regular unit to operate the Comet
A comet is an icy, small Solar System body that warms and begins to release gases when passing close to the Sun, a process called outgassing. This produces an extended, gravitationally unbound atmosphere or Coma (cometary), coma surrounding ...
tank. A Squadron took part in 1 RTR’s deployment to Korea between 1952 and 1953, where the regiment fired 24,000 main armament rounds in support of the Commonwealth
A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the 15th century. Originally a phrase (the common-wealth ...
Division. Subsequent deployments included Aden in 1965, where A Squadron operated from landing ship, tanks (LST) around the Persian Gulf. During the Troubles, the regiment conducted multiple dismounted operational tours in Northern Ireland, including rotations through the infamous Maze prison
HM Prison Maze (previously Long Kesh Detention Centre, and known colloquially as the Maze or H-Blocks) was a prison in Northern Ireland that was used to house paramilitary prisoners during the Troubles from August 1971 to September 2000. On 15 ...
.
In 1977, Ajax (2 RTR) transitioned into a medium reconnaissance squadron, equipped with CVR(T) Scorpion and Scimitar vehicles. The squadron later reequipped with Challenger 1 tanks in 1984 while stationed in Fallingbostel
Bad Fallingbostel (Northern Low Saxon: ''Bad Fambossel'') is the district town (''Kreisstadt'') of the Heidekreis, Heidekreis district in the Germany, German state of Lower Saxony. Since 1976 the town has had a state-recognised Kneipp spa and ha ...
, Germany. Following the amalgamation of 2 RTR and 3 RTR in 1992, AJAX was disbanded, and 1 RTR restructured its squadrons as A, D, G, and H in tribute to the original Heavy Branch of the Machine Gun Corps.
By 1997, A Squadron was assigned the role of the training and demonstration armored squadron within the Land Warfare Centre Battlegroup at Harman Lines. Personnel rotated through tank and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) roles while also supporting other squadrons in operations such as Op TELIC and Op HERRICK.
During the 2014 amalgamation of 1 RTR and 2 RTR, A Squadron continued the legacy of 1 RTR under the reestablished name Ajax.
Badger
During the First World War, B Battalion of the Heavy Section Machine Gun Corps evolved into B Battalion of the Tank Corps before eventually becoming the 2nd Battalion Tank Corps. The battalion took part in 11 major engagements, including battles at Messines, Ypres
Ypres ( ; ; ; ; ) is a Belgian city and municipality in the province of West Flanders. Though
the Dutch name is the official one, the city's French name is most commonly used in English. The municipality comprises the city of Ypres/Ieper ...
, Cambrai
Cambrai (, ; ; ), formerly Cambray and historically in English Camerick or Camericke, is a city in the Nord department and in the Hauts-de-France region of France on the Scheldt river, which is known locally as the Escaut river.
A sub-pref ...
, and Villers-Bretonneux. Its performance in combat was highly regarded, earning 116 gallantry awards, including 33 Military Crosses and 50 Military Medals.
By the time the Second World War began, the battalion had transitioned from the 2nd Battalion Tank Corps to the 2nd Battalion Royal Tank Corps, eventually becoming the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment with the formation of the Royal Armoured Corps in 1939. The regiment saw action in every theater of the war, initially on the Western Front before moving to North Africa, where it engaged in tank battles at Sidi Omar, Beda Fomm, and Sidi Barrani, as well as in a dismounted role during the Siege of Tobruk
The siege of Tobruk () took place between 10 April and 27 November 1941, during the Western Desert campaign (1940–1943) of the World War II, Second World War. An Allies of World War II, Allied force, consisting mostly of the 9th Division ...
.
Following the conclusion of the Western Desert campaign, the regiment deployed to India and Burma, where it introduced an unconventional use of armored vehicles in mountainous jungle terrain. Despite the difficult conditions, the regiment effectively engaged Japanese forces in an environment not traditionally suited for tanks, earning recognition from both Winston Churchill and Field Marshal Slim.
After completing operations in India and Burma, the regiment underwent training in Iraq and Syria before participating in the Italian campaign. It fought its way from the beaches of Sicily to the River Po, demonstrating adaptability by transitioning from desert warfare to close-quarters combat. The campaign concluded with the regiment crossing the Alps into Austria at the time of Germany’s surrender.
Post-war, the regiment was stationed in Germany as part of the British Army of the Rhine, with garrisons in Fallingbostel and Hohne, while also conducting peacekeeping operations in Northern Ireland. In 1992, it merged with the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment. Throughout the 1990s, the regiment continued peacekeeping deployments, serving in Cyprus, Northern Ireland, Kosovo, and Bosnia.
In 2003, the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment deployed under the 7th Armoured Brigade, The Desert Rats, leading the assault during Op TELIC 1 in Iraq. It returned to Iraq for further deployments, contributing forces to Op TELIC 2, 9, and 10, operating Challenger 2 and Warrior vehicles. Additionally, the regiment took part in Op HERRICK 6, 10, 11, 13, and 18 in Afghanistan, demonstrating its versatility by operating Viking
Vikings were seafaring people originally from Scandinavia (present-day Denmark, Norway, and Sweden),
who from the late 8th to the late 11th centuries raided, pirated, traded, and settled throughout parts of Europe.Roesdahl, pp. 9� ...
, Warthog, and Mastiff
A mastiff is a large and powerful Dog type, type of dog. Mastiffs are among the largest dogs, and typically have a short Coat (dog), coat, a long low-set tail and large feet; the skull is large and bulky, the muzzle broad and short (brachycephal ...
vehicles in diverse combat environments.
Badger is named after the Mark IV Tank commanded by the Officer in Charge of B Battalion, Tank Corps, in 1917. This tradition led to the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment’s practice of naming its Squadrons after the OC’s vehicle.
Cyclops
During the First World War, sailors from HMS ''Cyclops'' were among the first crews to operate the newly developed landships, which later became known as tanks. To honor their contribution, C Squadron of B Battalion, Tank Corps, was designated Cyclops in 1917. The squadron played an active role in both world wars.
During the Second World War, Cyclops participated in campaigns across multiple regions, including France, Egypt, Singapore, Iraq, Syria, Italy, Austria, and Germany. In the post-war years, the squadron was primarily stationed in Germany and the United Kingdom. However, in 1959, it was deployed to Libya as an armoured car squadron. In 1962, Cyclops transitioned into a parachute armoured squadron, utilizing the Hornet vehicle and Malkara
Malkara () is a municipality and district of Tekirdağ Province, Turkey. Its area is 1,243 km2 (the largest in Tekirdağ Province), and its population is 50,988 (2022). It is located at 55 km west of Tekirdağ and 190 km from Ist ...
anti-tank missiles to provide an anti-tank capability for 16 Parachute Brigade.
Returning to tanks in 1965, the squadron became an essential component of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment Battlegroup. Throughout the Cold War, it was frequently deployed on operations, including missions in Radfan, north of Aden in 1966, Cyprus in 1974, and multiple tours in Northern Ireland. Following the merger of the Second and Third Royal Tank Regiments in 1992, CYCLOPS remained part of the regimental ORBAT, though referred to as C Squadron, and was stationed in Fallingbostel, Germany. It officially reclaimed the name Cyclops in 2001.
The squadron later took part in operations in Bosnia and Kosovo and played a role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Further deployments followed, including missions to Afghanistan in 2010 and 2013. In August 2014, after the First and Second Royal Tank Regiments merged, it was confirmed that Cyclops would continue as one of the regiment’s sabre squadrons, operating the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank.
Dreadnaught
The history of Dreadnaught traces back to D Company of the Heavy Branch of the Machine Gun Corps, which participated in the first-ever tank action on 15th September 1916. This company eventually developed into D Battalion, then the 4th Royal Tank Corps (RTC), and later the Royal Tank Regiment (RTR). The regiment also honors the legacy of the 7th RTR, which merged with the 4th in 1959 after fighting alongside it throughout much of the war.
In 1940, both the 4th and 7th regiments played a pivotal role in the courageous Arras Counter-Attack against overwhelming opposition. They were also instrumental in the defense of Calais, aiding the evacuation at Dunkirk. The regiments went on to serve in the Western Desert, where they were awarded two Victoria Crosses (to Lt Col Foot and Capt Gardner MC). Their antecedents also served in Korea, Malaya, Northern Ireland, and BAOR
British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) was the name given to British Army occupation forces in the Rhineland, West Germany, after the First World War, First and Second World Wars, and during the Cold War, becoming part of NATO, NATO's Northern Army Gr ...
, among other locations. The most recent tour associated with the regiment was the deployment of D Squadron on Operation HERRICK 11, where Viking armoured vehicles were used.
The antecedents of Dreadnaught are among the most distinguished in the history of the RTR, contributing the Chinese Eye (now featured on all Armored Fighting Vehicles), the Pipes and Drums, and the Rose of Kilravock tartan
Tartan or plaid ( ) is a patterned cloth consisting of crossing horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours, forming repeating symmetrical patterns known as ''setts''. Originating in woven wool, tartan is most strongly associated wi ...
to the regiment's heritage. The badge of Dreadnaught Squadron is oxford blue and white in honour of the 4th Royal Tank Regiment.
Egypt
F Squadron of 2 RTR was redesignated as E Squadron in 1996, and in 2000, Egypt Squadron was established from E Squadron. The following year, the squadron deployed to Kosovo on Op Agricola. In 2003, it participated in Op TELIC as part of the Black Watch Battlegroup before deploying to BATUS, where it spent a season as OPFOR. In 2006/07, the squadron returned to Iraq on Op TELIC 9/10, serving within the Kings Battlegroup.
The squadron later undertook two operational tours in Afghanistan. The first, Op HERRICK 10/11, resulted in significant losses, with three fatalities and 20% of its personnel sustaining life-altering injuries. The second deployment took place during Op HERRICK 18.
HQ Squadron of 1 RTR had its origins in the 1993 merger of 1 RTR and 4 RTR. The squadron was named in honor of the original company from the Heavy Machine Gun Corps. From 1993 to 1996, it was based in Tidworth, where it played a key role in the regiment’s relocation to Barker Barracks, Paderborn. It then supported the regiment through a demanding training year that included deployments to Grafenwoehr, Poland, BATUS, and Op TOSCA.
Following this, HQ Squadron facilitated the regiment’s move to RAF Honington, where it transitioned into the Joint NBC Regiment. During Op TELIC, it provided vital logistical support to the regiment. From 2003 until the 2014 amalgamation, HQ Squadron continued to play a crucial role in sustaining the regiment both in camp and on operations.
The present-day Egypt Squadron was formed from HQ Squadron of 1 RTR and Nero Squadron of 2 RTR following the amalgamation on August 2, 2014.
Falcon
FALCON traces its origins back to F Company of the Heavy Branch of the Machine Gun Corps. In November 1916, F Company was expanded into F Battalion, which later became F Battalion of the Tank Corps. In January 1918, it was re-designated as the 6th Battalion of the Tank Corps. The unit saw extensive combat at the Battles of Messines, Passchendaele, Cambrai, and Amiens, utilizing Whippet Mk A light tanks. Following the Armistice
An armistice is a formal agreement of warring parties to stop fighting. It is not necessarily the end of a war, as it may constitute only a cessation of hostilities while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace. It is derived from t ...
, the 6th Battalion was disbanded.
In 2001, Falcon Squadron was re-formed as the fourth Challenger 2 squadron within the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment. In 2003, the regiment deployed under the 7th Armoured Brigade, The Desert Rats, leading the assault during Op TELIC 1 in Iraq. By late 2005, FALCON Squadron became the first interim medium armour squadron, operating Scimitar CVR(T) vehicles before deploying to BATUS in 2006 for Ex PRAIRIE STORM, where it supported the Royal Green Jackets
The Royal Green Jackets (RGJ) was an infantry regiment of the British Army, one of two "large regiments" within the Light Division (the other being The Light Infantry).
History
The Royal Green Jackets was formed on 1 January 1966 by the amalgam ...
light role Battlegroup. That same year, a troop from the squadron was sent to Belize in support of the Irish Guards
The Irish Guards (IG) is one of the Foot guards#United Kingdom, Foot Guards regiments of the British Army and is part of the Guards Division. Together with the Royal Irish Regiment (1992), Royal Irish Regiment, it is one of the two Irish infant ...
, marking the first deployment of armour to a jungle environment since the late 1970s.
In 2007, FALCON Squadron deployed as an independent sub-unit on Op HERRICK 6 in Afghanistan, becoming the first unit to operate MASTIFF vehicles. The squadron saw significant action as dismounted troops in Lashkargah
Lashkargāh (; ), historically called Bost or Boost (), is a city in southwestern Afghanistan and the capital of Helmand Province. It is located in Lashkargah District, where the Arghandab River merges into the Helmand River. The city has a po ...
, Sangin, and FOB Fox, taking part in all major UK operations in the Sangin Valley area, which included several encounters with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Between late 2007 and 2010, the squadron participated in training exercises, range work, and deployments to BATUS. In 2010 and 2011, it returned to Afghanistan on Op HERRICK 13, with elements operating across Helmand and Kandahar provinces. FALCON Squadron was disbanded in 2012.
In 2014, it was re-established as Falcon (Area Survey and Reconnaissance) Squadron, providing the UK’s only CRN AS&R (Chemical, Radiological, Nuclear Area Survey and Reconnaissance) capability. In 2019, it came under the operational command of 28 Engineer Regiment (C-CBRN) as FALCON Squadron (C-CBRN). Today, the squadron functions as a specialist, live agent-trained, lightly armoured, all-wheeled reconnaissance unit.
In 2018, FALCON Squadron deployed on Op MORLOP in Salisbury in response to the Novichok nerve agent attack, while also sending a section to Estonia on Op CABRIT 3. The following year, 13 and 14 Troops were deployed to BATUS to test AS&R capabilities alongside a combined arms Battlegroup, while another troop conducted Ex TOXIC PATH in France.
Organisation
The regiment comes under the direct command of 12th Armoured Brigade Combat Team, itself part of the 3rd (UK) Division, the British Army's only armoured division. The 12th Armoured BCT contains three of the Army's four armoured regiments; the RTR, the King's Royal Hussars (KRH), and Royal Wessex Yeomanry (RWxY).
Unlike the other armoured regiments, the Royal Tank Regiment also has a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) reconnaissance squadron, Falcon Squadron, operating the Fuchs reconnaissance vehicle, which is manned by RTR soldiers but comes under the operational command of 28 Engineer Regiment (C-CBRN).
The regiment currently comprises six squadrons:
Royal Tank Regiment, Headquarters at Bulford Camp
* Ajax – Challenger 2
* Badger – Challenger 2
* Cyclops – Challenger 2
* Dreadnaught – Challenger 2
* Egypt – Headquarters, Command, and Reconnaissance
* Falcon – CBRN area surveillance & reconnaissance (under the command of 28 Engineer Regiment (C-CBRN)), based at Harman Lines, Warminster Garrison
As part of the Future Soldier reforms, the regiment's reconnaissance troop will be equipped with Ajax
Ajax may refer to:
Greek mythology and tragedy
* Ajax the Great, a Greek mythological hero, son of King Telamon and Periboea
* Ajax the Lesser, a Greek mythological hero, son of Oileus, the king of Locris
* Ajax (play), ''Ajax'' (play), by the an ...
armoured fighting vehicles.
Tanks
The Royal Tank Regiment is equipped with 56x Challenger 2, a third-generation main battle tank that has been in service since 1998.
Challenger 3
From 2027, the Challenger 2 will be replaced by the new fourth-generation Challenger 3, which has a 120mm L55A1 smoothbore gun, providing commonality with the Leopard 2
The Leopard 2 is a third generation German main battle tank (MBT). Developed by Krauss-Maffei in the 1970s, the tank entered service in 1979 and replaced the earlier Leopard 1 as the main battle tank of the West German army. Various iterat ...
, M1 Abrams
The M1 Abrams () is a third-generation American main battle tank designed by Chrysler Defense (now General Dynamics Land Systems) and named for General Creighton Abrams. Conceived for modern armored ground warfare, it is one of the heavies ...
and other NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO ; , OTAN), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental organization, intergovernmental Transnationalism, transnational military alliance of 32 Member states of NATO, member s ...
tanks (unlike Challenger 2's L30A1 rifled bore). The L55A1 has a longer barrel and the ability to handle higher chamber pressures. The L55A1 allows Challenger 3 use of programmable high-explosive ammunition such as the DM11, enabling airburst
An air burst or airburst is the detonation of an explosive device such as an anti-personnel artillery shell or a nuclear weapon in the air instead of on contact with the ground or target. The principal military advantage of an air burst over ...
capability. Under the ''Heavy Armour Automotive Improvement Programme'', Challenger 3 will receive an improved version of Challenger 2’s CV12-6A engine – CV12-8A – along with third-generation hydrogas suspension. The tank's survivability will also be increased, with the addition of the Elbit Laser Warning System (ELAWS); capable of "detecting, categorising and accurately pinpointing laser sources such as range finders, Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, target designators and infrared illuminators." The Challenger 3 will further be equipped with the Trophy active protection system from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. () is an Israeli Defense contractor, defense technology company. It was founded as Israel's National R&D Defense Laboratory for the development of weapons and military technology within the Ministry of Defens ...
, which provides 360° azimuth protection from threats including " rockets to ATGMs and High-Explosive Anti-Tank
High-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) is the effect of a shaped charge explosive that uses the Munroe effect to penetrate heavy armor. The warhead functions by having an explosive charge collapse a metal liner inside the warhead into a high-velocity ...
(HEAT) rounds".
File:Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank patrolling outside Basra, Iraq MOD 45148325.jpg, Challenger 2
File:Challenger 3.jpg, Challenger 3
File:British Army Fuchs.jpg, Fuchs
Ajax Squadron
The structure is as follows:
Squadron Headquarters
1 Troop
2 Troop
3 Troop
Badger Squadron
The structure is as follows:
Squadron Headquarters
4 Troop
5 Troop
6 Troop
Cyclops Squadron
The structure is as follows:
Squadron Headquarters
7 Troop
8 Troop
9 Troop
Dreadnaught Squadron
The structure is as follows:
Squadron Headquarters
10 Troop
11 Troop
12 Troop
Falcon Squadron
The structure is as follows:
13 Troop (Vanguard)
14 Troop (Main Body)
The Tank Museum
The Tank Museum, the museum of the Royal Tank Regiment and Royal Armoured Corps, is at Bovington Camp in Dorset
Dorset ( ; Archaism, archaically: Dorsetshire , ) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South West England. It is bordered by Somerset to the north-west, Wiltshire to the north and the north-east, Hampshire to the east, t ...
. The collection traces the history of the tank with almost 300 vehicles on display. It includes Tiger 131
Tiger 131 is a Nazi Germany, German Tiger I heavy tank captured by the British Army in Tunisia during World War II. Preserved at The Tank Museum in Bovington in Dorset, England, it is currently the only operational Tiger I in the world.
German ...
, the only working example of a German Tiger I
The Tiger I () was a Nazi Germany, German heavy tank of World War II that began operational duty in 1942 in North African Campaign, Africa and in the Soviet Union, usually in independent German heavy tank battalion, heavy tank battalions. It g ...
tank, and a British First World War Mark I, the world's oldest surviving combat tank.
Battle honours
The battle honours of the regiment are:
The Great War
*Somme 1916 __NOTOC__
Somme or The Somme may refer to: Places
*Somme (department), a department of France
*Somme, Queensland, Australia
*Canal de la Somme, a canal in France
*Somme (river), a river in France
Arts, entertainment, and media
*Somme (book), ''Somm ...
'18, Arras 1917 '18, Messines 1917, Ypres 1917, Cambrai 1917, St. Quentin 1918, Villers-Bretonneux, Amiens
Amiens (English: or ; ; , or ) is a city and Communes of France, commune in northern France, located north of Paris and south-west of Lille. It is the capital of the Somme (department), Somme Departments of France, department in the region ...
, Bapaume 1918, Hindenburg Line
The Hindenburg Line (, Siegfried Position) was a German Defense line, defensive position built during the winter of 1916–1917 on the Western Front (World War I), Western Front in France during the First World War. The line ran from Arras to ...
, Épéhy, Selle, France and Flanders 1916–18, Gaza
The Second World War
*North-West Europe 1940
Arras Counter Attack, Calais 1940, St. Omer-La Bassée, Somme
* North Africa 1940–43
Sidi Barrani, Beda Fomm, Sidi Suleiman, Tobruk 1941, Sidi Rezegh 1941, Belhamed, Gazala, Cauldron, Knightsbridge, Defence of Alamein Line, Alam el Halfa, El Alamein, Mareth, Akarit, Fondouk, El Kourzia, Medjez Plain, Tunis
Tunis (, ') is the capital city, capital and largest city of Tunisia. The greater metropolitan area of Tunis, often referred to as "Grand Tunis", has about 2,700,000 inhabitants. , it is the third-largest city in the Maghreb region (after Casabl ...
* Sicily 1943
Primosole Bridge, Gerbini, Adrano
* Italy 1943–45
Sangro, Salerno
Salerno (, ; ; ) is an ancient city and ''comune'' (municipality) in Campania, southwestern Italy, and is the capital of the namesake province, being the second largest city in the region by number of inhabitants, after Naples. It is located ...
, Volturno Crossing, Garigliano Crossing, Anzio
Anzio (, also ; ) is a town and ''comune'' on region of Italy, about south of Rome.
Well known for its seaside resorts, it is a fishing port and a departure point for ferries and hydroplanes to the Pontine Islands of Ponza, Palmarola, and Ve ...
, Advance to Florence, Gothic Line, Coriano, Lamone Crossing, Rimini Line, Argenta Gap
* North-West Europe 1944-45
Odon, Caen, Bourguébus Ridge, Mont Pincon, Falaise, Nederrijn, Scheldt
The Scheldt ( ; ; ) is a river that flows through northern France, western Belgium, and the southwestern part of Netherlands, the Netherlands, with its mouth at the North Sea. Its name is derived from an adjective corresponding to Old Englis ...
, Venlo Pocket, Rhineland
The Rhineland ( ; ; ; ) is a loosely defined area of Western Germany along the Rhine, chiefly Middle Rhine, its middle section. It is the main industrial heartland of Germany because of its many factories, and it has historic ties to the Holy ...
, Rhine
The Rhine ( ) is one of the List of rivers of Europe, major rivers in Europe. The river begins in the Swiss canton of Graubünden in the southeastern Swiss Alps. It forms part of the Swiss-Liechtenstein border, then part of the Austria–Swit ...
, Bremen
Bremen (Low German also: ''Breem'' or ''Bräm''), officially the City Municipality of Bremen (, ), is the capital of the States of Germany, German state of the Bremen (state), Free Hanseatic City of Bremen (), a two-city-state consisting of the c ...
Abyssinia 1940, Greece 1941, Burma 1942
Post-war years
Korea 1951–53
Al Basrah, Iraq 2003
Colonels-Commandant
Colonels-Commandant have been:
Uniform
The Uniform of the Royal Tank Regiment is unique in many ways to the rest of the Royal Armoured Corps and British Army:
Black beret
Much of the uniform and equipment of soldiers during the First World War was quite impractical for use inside a tank. In particular, the vision apertures in a tank were so small that it was necessary to keep the eyes very close to them in order to get even a limited vision. Thus, any headdress with a peak was entirely unsuitable. In May 1918, General Elles and Colonel Fuller were discussing the future of the Tank Corps and its uniform and General Elles tried on a beret of the 70th Chasseurs Alpins, which was billeted nearby. A black beret was selected as it would not show oil stains. No change in uniform was possible during the war, but after a prolonged argument with the War Office, the black beret was approved by King George V on 5 March 1924. The black beret remained the exclusive headdress of the Royal Tank Corps until its practical value was recognised by others and its use extended to the majority of the Royal Armoured Corps in 1940. On the introduction of the blue beret in 1949, the Royal Tank Regiment reclaimed its right to the exclusive use of the black beret, which may not be worn by any other Regiment or Corps with the exception of the Berkshire and Westminster Dragoons Squadron of The Royal Yeomanry.
Black overalls
The wearing of black overalls is a custom reserved to the Regiment by Material Regulations for the Army, volume 3, Pamphlet No 4 (Code 13251). It stems from the Royal Review held at Aldershot in the presence of King George V on 13 July 1935 on which occasion black overalls were worn on parade by all ranks of the Royal Tanks Corps. The practice lapsed during the Second World War, but was re-introduced in the 1950s.
Black accoutrements
Royal Tank Regiment officers and senior warrant officers also wear both a black Sam Browne
General (United Kingdom), General Sir Samuel James Browne, (3 October 1824 – 14 March 1901) was a British Indian Army cavalry officer, known best as the creator of the Sam Browne belt. He was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the most prest ...
and a black sword scabbard, while other ranks wear a black parade belt.
Sleeve badge
The sleeve badge of a First World War Mk 1 tank preceded the formation of the Royal Tank Corps when it was worn by the Heavy Branch of the Machine Gun Corps. Authorised on 7 May 1917, it is still worn today by all ranks on No.1 and No.2 dress and on their sleeve brassard on black overalls.[p.37 Marrion, Robert ''The British Army 1914–18'' Osprey Publishing, 1978]
The ash plant
During the First World War, walking sticks were often carried by officers. Such sticks came to have a new and more important use with the introduction of tanks, which often became 'bogged' on battlefields, particularly in Flanders. Officers of the Tank Corps used these sticks to probe the ground in front of their tanks testing for firmness as they went forward. Often, the commanders led their tanks into action on foot. To commemorate this, officers of the Regiment carry ash plant sticks instead of the short cane customary to other arms.
Order of precedence
Alliances
*: 12e Régiment blindé du Canada
*: 1st Armoured Regiment
*: Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps
*: Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles
*: 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
*: 13th Lancers
*: HMS ''Kent''
*: 501e Régiment de chars de combat (Bond of Friendship)
Affiliated Yeomanry
* Dorset Yeomanry
* Westminster Dragoons (2RTR)
* Royal Devon Yeomanry (2RTR)
* Royal Wessex Yeomanry
See also
* History of the tank
Notes
Bibliography
*
*
*
External links
Official website on British Army webpage
Royal Tank Regiment Association
{{The British Army
Regiments of the Royal Armoured Corps
Military units and formations established in 1917
Military units and formations of the United Kingdom in the Korean War
Armoured regiments of the British Army in World War II
Britain
Britain most often refers to:
* Great Britain, a large island comprising the countries of England, Scotland and Wales
* The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a sovereign state in Europe comprising Great Britain and the north-eas ...