| SPRING 1962. |
| "BATTLES LONG AGO . . .". |
| Our historian completes his researches into the histories of the names of the platoons of the Regiment. |
| MINDEN |
| In 1758, 10,000 men under Sackville were sent by Britain to help Prussia fight against the more powerful forces of Austria, France and Russia. While defending Munster the combined British and Prussian forces were trapped between two larger hostile armies. They attacked one but were repulsed and driven north-wards to where the other army lay in wait. On 1st August, 1759, the armies met and the Prussians tried to lead the French into a trap with a decoy corps. However, the British infantry was unaware of this plan and attacked the French centre. Although greatly outnumbered, they were remarkably successful and broke through the French lines. The enemy fled in panic. Sackville, however, held back the British Cavalry and lost his chance. Even so, the retreating French suffered heavy losses from the Prussian forces. |
| KNIGHTSBRIDGE |
| The defence of the Western Desert against Rommel depended on a chain of strong points or ‘boxes’. These were held by at least a brigade and protected by huge minefields. In late May, 1942 Rommel launched his big attack. He was slowed almost to a halt by the Allied defences, but, by massing all his force in one wedge, he forced his way forward although losses were tremendous especially from the night bombers. With replenished forces Rommel broke out of his ‘cauldron’ and a fierce battle took place. The bulk of the attack was against the Gazala ‘box’ nicknamed Knightsbridge. This eventually had to be evacuated after a stubborn defence. The Allied line had been broken by Rommel but it had cost him dearly. |
| EGYPT |
| In September, 1940 the Italian Army advanced into the Western Desert of Egypt. The Army of the Nile, under General Wavell, was outnumbered by over five to one and could do no more than fall back and worry the enemy. The Italians advanced very slowly for a week to Sidi Berrani. Although still unopposed, they stopped and started to dig in. After three months of inactivity, General Wavell assumed the offensive. The Allied forces advanced seventy miles from their base and surprised the Italians at dawn on 9th December. The Italian resistance was quickly dealt with and the Army of the Nile swept on to take Tobruk by early January. Although the Allies only numbered two divisions on the day of battle they took over 130,000 prisoners during their advance. |
| RHINE |
| During the Second World War the Allied invasion of Europe quickly swept over France. Germany’s main hope was to hold the Allies at its natural line of defence- the River Rhine. The German forces fell back over the Rhine and tried to destroy all the bridges over it, but the Allies found two bridges which were damaged but usable and built up a strong bridgehead on the German side. At other places the Allies brought up a tremendous number of boats under cover of smoke screens. They used the boats in a night invasion to take the enemy by surprise. This was followed by a huge paratroop landing at dawn. German resistance was quickly overcome and bridges were thrown across the great river. The Rhine was crossed and the end of the War was in sight. |
| A.B. |
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