North Irish Horse Battle Structure and Tank Inventories

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.
During the time the Regiment was operating Shermans, the eighteen surplus crew members (not necessarily co-drivers) were given "Relief Status" under command of a Lieutenant. They were responsible for the Mark Ics Churchills while they were held in reserve.

In Tunisia

A, B & C Squadrons:     HQF Troop     Troops 1-5 RHQ Squadron: Recce Squadron:     Leader     Troops 1-3

. 1 Mark III, 2 Reworked Mark Is 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,1-3     Troops 4 & 5 RHQ Squadron: Recce Squadron Leader: Troops 1-3

. 3 6pdrs per Troop 3 Shermans per Troop . 3 6pdrs per Troop 3 Shermans per Troop . 6 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,1-3     Troops 4 & 5 RHQ Squadron: 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 . 6 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     2 Troop     3 Troop     4 Troop     5 Troop RHQ Squadron: Recce Squadron     SHQ     1 Troop     2 Troop:     3 Troop     4 Troop

. 1 Mark VII, 2 Mark Vs 3 6pdr Marks 3 Mark VIIs 3 Na75s 3 Na75s . 1 Mark VII, 2 Mark Vs 2 6pdr Marks 2 Mark VIIs 2 6pdr Marks 3 Na75s 3 Na75s 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 Page 103 of the Battle Report is a proud statement: "The remarable 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."

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