North Irish Horse Battle Structure - Tank Inventories and Names

Notes

Vehicles are Churchills unless otherwise stated. 6pdr Churchills are Mark IIIs and IVs - the exact proportion is not known. Shermans are Marks I and II - the exact proportion is not known.
The Recce component, although organised as a Squadron was not named as such until the delivery of Churchills Na75s in Italy. Prior to this time,records show its title to be "Recce Troop" with a Troop Leader and three "Troops". For clarity purposes, herafter it is shown as a Squadron.
On 30/5/44, in accordance with War Establishment 11/154/2 ordered28/1/44, A, B & C Squadrons each reduced the number of Troops from six to five. The surplus crew members were given "Relief Status" and, under command of a Lieutenant, crewed the Mark Ics Churchills which were being held in reserve.

In Tunisia
A, B & C Squadrons:
    HQF Troop
.
    Troops 1-5

RHQ:

Recce Squadron:
    Leader
    Troops 1-3

.
1 Mark III, 2 Reworked Mark Is (B Sqn had 2 Mark IIIs and 1 Reworked Mark I)
3 Mark IIIs per Troop

4 Mark IIIs

.
1 Carden-Loyd Universal Carrier
3 Carden-Loyd Universal Carriers per Troop

In Italy, First Phase, May/June 1944

             A & C Squadrons:
                Troops HQF,1 & 2
                Troops 3 & 4

            B Squadron:
                Troops HQF,1 & 2
                Troops 4 & 5

            RHQ:

            Recce Squadron
                Leader:
                Troops 1-3

.
        3 6pdrs per Troop
        3 Shermans per Troop

.
        3 6pdrs per Troop
        3 Shermans per Troop
.
        5 6pdrs

.
        1 Stuart
        3 Stuarts per Troop

Notes

Each Squadron had a Churchill ARV plus two Mark Ics in reserve.
On 15th June, all Sherman Troops were consolidated to form a Composite Squadron until being disbanded ten days later.

In Italy, Second Phase, July/December 1944

             A & C Squadrons:
                Troops HQF,1 & 2
                Troops 3 & 4

            B Squadron:
                Troops HQF,1 & 2
                Troops 4 & 5

            RHQ:

            Recce Squadron:
                Squadron Leader:
                Troops 1-3
                4 Troop

.
        3 6pdrs per Troop
        3 Na75s per Troop

.
        3 6pdrs per Troop
        3 Na75s per Troop
.
        5 6pdrs

.
        1 Stuart
        3 Stuarts per Troop
        3 Shermans

In Italy, Final Phase, January/May 1945

            A & C Squadrons:
                HQF Troop:
                1 Troop
                2 Troop
                3 Troop
                4 Troop

            B Squadron:
                HQF Troop
                1 Troop
                3 Troop
                4 Troop
                5 Troop

            RHQ:

            Recce Squadron
                SHQ
                1 Troop
                2 Troop:
                3 Troop
                4 Troop

.
        1 Mark VII, 2 Mark Vs
        3 6pdr Marks
        3 Na75s
        3 Na75s
        3 Mark VIIs

.
        1 Mark VII, 2 Mark Vs
        3 6pdr Marks
        3 6pdr Marks
        3 Na75s
        3 Mark VIIs

        4 6pdr Marks, 1 Mark VII

.
        1 Mark IV
        3 Stuarts
        3 Mark Vs
        3 Shermans
        3 6pdr Marks

It should be noted that the Regiment did not always go into battle with a full inventory. For example, on 10th September 1944, 8th Army Tank States records that one 6pdr was temporarily unfit and another, with an AVRE, was in Workshops.

On the last page of the Battle Report is a proud statement: "The remarkable achievement of having every tank in the regiment still going when the Campaign ended was due to first-class recovery and repair work by the regimental fitters and the light aid detachment. No other regiment has ever achieved this, even with Shermans. Churchill tanks are by far the most difficult to keep on the road."

North Irish Horse Tank Names

A Squadron
Adare
Ahoghill
Antrim
Ardreagh
Ardstraw
Armoy
Augher
.
Aghadowey
Aldergrove
Ardara
Ardress
Arklow
Artigavan
Aughnacloy
.
Aghalee
Annalong
Ardmore
Ards
Armagh
Ashbourne
B Squadron
Ballina
Ballyclare
Ballykinlar
Ballyrashane
Belfast
Blackrock
.
Ballybay
Ballygawley
Ballymena
Banbridge
Benburb
Boyne
.
Ballycastle
Ballyjamesduff
Ballymoney
Bangor
Bessbrook
Bushmills
C Squadron
Carnlough
Castlederg
Cavan
Clonmel
Cobh
Cookstown
.
Carrickfergus
Castlerobin
Claudy
Coagh
Coleraine
Cork
.
Carryduff
Castlerock
Clogher
Coalisland
Comber
Crossgar
Recce Squadron
Edenderry
Enniscorthy
Enniskillen
.
Edgeworthstown
Enniscrone
Ennistymon
.
Ennis
Enniskerry
Eyrecourt
HQ Squadron
Donegal
Dromore
.
Downpatrick
Dundalk
.
Drogheda
Dungannon

Notes
A Squadron gave new names to the two Mark ICs Churchills, received in Algeria, one being Ashbourne, this accounts for the total of twenty. B Squadron (and probably C Squadron) gave them existing names.
The Recce Squadron's list of names is not complete.

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