History
On 28th May 1940 the Fifth sailed for
Cherbourg, but arrived too late to influence the disastrous situation
there. It withdrew in contact across the Somme and the Seine, eventually
re-embarking at Brest for England. Some six months later the Regiment
sailed via the Cape for Suez. From March 1941 the Fifth fought
throughout the North African Campaign in 7th Armoured Division, taking
part in the first defence of Tobruk, the Sidi Rezegh and Gazala battles,
with withdrawl to and defense of the Alamein Line, Alamein itself, and
the long advance afterwards. The Fifth led the 8th Army into Homs; After
Tripoli and Mareth the Fifth came under 1st Army
for
the attack on Tunis, being the first troops to enter the town. On the
15th September 1943, the Regiment landed at Salerno, but after the
Volturno crossing, it returned to England with the rest of 7th Armoured
Division to prepare for North West Europe. The Fifth, part of 22nd
Armored Brigade, 7th Armoured Division, landed in Normandy on the 7th
June 1944 and, after heavy fighting in the “Bocage” the Fifth took part
in the Great Advance through France and Belgium. By December 1944 the
Fifth was in Germany, crossing the Rhine in March and reaching Hamburg
by May.
(©
5 Royal Tank Regiment Reunion Association )
Relevant websites
Royal Tank Regiment Association
5 Royal Tank Regiment Reunion Association
Casualties of the squadron, buried
in the Netherlands.
Number of known casualties:
15
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